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YPSILANTI UNION SOHOOIi. 

Giound Flasi at pp. Stfi and SffT. 



SCHOOL FUNDS 



SCHOOL LAWS OfIiICHIGAN: 



^TITH 



NOTES AND FORMS. 



TO WHICH ARE ADDED 



ELEMENTS OF SCHOOL ARCHITECTURE, &C,, 

WITH LISTS OF 

TEXT BOOKS AND LIBRARY BOOKS. 

... ;*> 



^ 



JOHN M. ,GREGORY, 

SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 



LANSING: 

Hosmer & Kerr, Printers to the State. 
1869. 






4^^^' 



^ 



I N T R D U C T 0,R Y 



Obpics ©? Public Instbcction, ) 
Lansing, Mieh., August 1st, 1859. f 
To School Officers: — 

The large and excellent editioa of the Primary School Laws, prepared by 
Hon. Fbaxcis W. Shbakmak, Superiateudeat of Public Instruction, and pub- 
lished in. 1852, has now been, for some time, exhausted. The wants of the 
new Districts, and the many important changes made in the laws themselves, 
demand the issue of a new edition. To meet this demand, my immediate pre- 
decessor undertook the preparation of this volume. While it was yet ua- 
boand, his term of office expired, and the Legislature of 1859, which assembled 
immediately afterwards, committed the work to the hands of the present Su- 
perintendent. 

The numerous amendments and additions made to the School Laws by this 
Legislature, rendered it necessary to print this part of the volume anew, and 
some further delay was found necessary to allow time for the preparation of 
the Notes, which will be found accompanying the Law. 

These Notes have been prepared with much care, and with an especial ref- 
erence in many cases to the questions which have arisen in the Districts, and 
have been sent up to this Department for decision. It is hoped that they will 
render the administration of the law, by the various officers concerned therein, 
easier and more certain. The '• Forms for proceedings under the School Law," 
are retained as prepared by Mr. Mayhbw, the first leaf only of that part of the 
volume having been reprinted. It will be observed that Forms No. XVI and 
No. XYn, have become obsolete by a change in the laws. Several of the re- 
marks under the different Forms, are also obsolete. The true construction of 
the law will be found by referring to the Notes under the several sections. 

The Articles entitled The Primary Schools of Michigan, and their Funds ; 
The State Normal School, and its Funds ; The University of Michigan, and 
its Funds ; The State Agricultural College ; House of Correction for Juvenile 
Oflfendei"S ; Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb and Blind, in the first part of the 
volume, and that on the Primary School System, in the third part, were pre- 
pared at the suggestion and request of the late Superintendent, by Cortland B. 
Sthbbins, Esq., the present worthy Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruc- 
tion. These articles will be found to eontaiu information of great interest 
and value. This information was scattered through the public documents 



IV 

ami records for many years, mucli of it in volumes now beyond the reach of 
most of the people. It is now for the first time, collected into convenient 
space and form. Much credit is due to Mr. Stebbins for the valuable services 
he has, with such marked ability and faithfulness, rendered the Educational 
Interests of the State. 

The article on the xisylum for the Insane, was prepared by Dr. E. H. Van 
Dettsen, the able and efficient Medical Superintendent of that noble State 
Charity. 

The articles on School Architecture, School Furniture, and School Appa- 
ratus, are from the pen of Hon. Ira Mathew, late Superintendent of Public 
Instruction. An article on Warming and Yentilation, embracing a descrip- 
tion of certain heating furnaces, and a chimney cap, has been left out, as of 
too little public interest or utility to merit a place in a State publication, and 
because the progress of invention in this department promises speedily to su- 
persede the too expensive and easily disordered furnaces now in use. Indeed, 
one or two of the furnaces recommended in this article, have already been 
seriously condemned by those who have used them. 

The interruptions in the paging of the volume arise from the fact that the 
omissions are of greater extent than the new matter supplied. It was believed 
to be a matter of public economy to make these changes in the volume, rather 
than to issue a new edition of the School Law, which the several important 
amendments made in the Law, would have required. The volume, if sent out 
as at first printed, would have tended greatly to mislead, and must have occa- 
sioned serious confusion among the Districts by promulgating among them an 
obsolete law. 

The School Laws of the State are published in this separate form in aceor- 
iance with the provisions of the Statutes, [see sections 3 and 4, pp. 160, 161, 
of this volume,] and expressly for the use of the several County, Township, 
and District Officers, who have to do with the management of the Schools 
themselves, or their FundvS. 

These Officers comprise the foilovring classes, viz : 

1. County Clerks; 

2. County T reasurers ; 

3. Township Supei'visors ; 
4 Township Treasurers ; 

5. Township Clerks ; 

6. School Inspectors ; 

7. District School Officers. 

A copy of the volume will be furnished to each one of these various Officers, 
to be used by him during his term of office, and at the expiration thereof to be 
delivered to his successor. 

The attention of the various classes of officers above named, is especially 
invited to the contents of the volume. Much of the matter embraced in it 
will be found of general interest. Its thorough study will lead to a better 



uaderstaading of our system of Public Schools by those to whose official care 
the Schools are entrusted. Not only does the successful operation of the sys- 
tem depend upon the intelligent comprehension and discharge of their respec- 
tive duties, by the diflfercnt officers, but its wise and contmued improvement 
must come from their clear-sighted criticisms of its defects. It is a work of 
no slight magnitude to keep the public agencies by which the entire body of 
the children of the commonwealth are to be educated, in successful and har- 
monious operation. The State has therefore wisely provided for the publica- 
tion of the School Laws. 

The various amendments of the Law, made the last winter, have been in- 
troduced in their proper places. School Officers should give heed especially 
to those found in Sections 6, 39, 48, 49, 66, 75, 85 and 107. Attention is 
called also to the repeal of Sections 92 and 93, and to the new Law for Graded 
Schools, found in Sections 147 to 15 1. 

The new District Library Law will also require attention. 

State Reform School. — An amendment, which could not be introduced in 
its proper place without reprinting an entire form, in Section 1, of the duties 
of Superintendent of Public Instruction, requires him to embrace the report 
of the Board of Control of the House of Correction— now named State Re- 
FOBM ScuooL— in his Annual Report. This rightfully recognizes Reformatory 
Education as an essential part of the full system of Public Instruction. 

In closing these introductory statements, the Superintendent would remind 
the School Officers of the State that it is not by the mere administration of 
the letter of the law that the best interests of the Schools arc to be efficiently 
promoted. There is a wide Held of usefulness outside of the limit of merely 
official duties, in which every School Officer may do much to advance Educa- 
tion and improve the character of the Schools. Educational Societies, Teach- 
ers' Associations in Townships and Counties, Teachers' Institutes, School 
Examinations, and Celebrations, are most efficient means to cultivate the 
public sentiment, to improve the Teachers, and to infuse a spirit of active zeal 
and enterprise into the School System. 

With proper care and attention, and with but little effort, our Schools, with- 
out becoming at all more expensive, might be made doubly efficient. With the 
same outlay of time and money as now, the children of the State might be 
twice as well educated as they are under the present methods. With an 
awakened public interest, and with an aroused and active body of Teachers, 
the dull and di'eary months through which many of our Schools now drag 
heavily along, with scarcely a sign of advancement, would become periods of 
life and progress; and their fruits would be seen in the quickened intelligence 
and enlarged acquisitions of all the pupils. 

Especially would I ask the attention of School Officers of the State, to the 
State Teachers' Institutes, held by the Superintendent under the authority of 
the law. Often has the remark bui-st from the Teachers instructed in these 
Institutes. " We shall teach differently from what we ever taught before ;" and 



YI 

1;liey have gone to their Schools with a new zeal, and new ability for their im- 
portant work. It is the testimony of citizens in all parts of the State where 
these Institutes have been held, that their Schools have been made much more 
useful by them. School Officers should see that their Teachers more generally 
avail themselves of these public provisions for improvement in their vocation. 

JOHN M. GREGORY, 
Superintendent of Public Instruction. 



CONTEJfTS. 



PART I. 



PAGE. 



The PfiiMARY Schools op Michigan and their Funds, . 1 

The State Normal School and its Funds, 25 

The University op Michigan and its Funds, 33 

The Detroit Observatory, 64 

The State Agricultural College, 79 

House op Correction for Juvenile Offenders, 97 

Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb, and the Blind, 115 

Asylum for the Insane, 135 



PART II. 

Constitutional Provisions relating to Education,. .157 
Duties of Superintendent op Public Instruction, .... 160 

Laws relating to Primary Schools, 164 

Districts, 164 

District Meetings, 168 

Moderator, 175 

Assessor, 176 

Director, 178 

District Board, 186 

Township Board of School Inspectors, 190 

Examination of Tea«hers, 199 

Certain Duties of Township Clerk, 203 

Certain Duties of County Clerk — Libraries, 208 

Distribution of the Income of the School Fund,. . .210 

Penalties and Liabilities, 211 

Graded and High Schools, 217, 224 



VIII 



P^GE. 



School District Libraries, , 229 

Teachers' Institutes, 234 

Journal of Education, .......... 235 

Teachers' Associations, 236 

State Normal School, , 237 

Laws concerning the University of Michigan, 246 

Laws concerning the State Agricultnral College, 251 

Laws concerning Incorporated Institutions of Learning, 257 
Forms for Proceedings under the School Law, ..... 287 



PABT III. 

The Primary School System, ,, 311 

Original Design, , . . . 311 

The Main Difficulty, 318 

For Populous Settlements, a better way, 319 

What every Village and City should do, 320 

What is bei=ng done, 321 

Schools in the Country, 323 

A Philosophic Yiew, 325 

Mutual Exchanges, , 327 

Union Schools, 329 

A Preparatory Department, 331 

School Buildings and their Appendages, 333 

School Architecture, , . . . 339 

Location of School-houses, 339 

Size of School-house — Philosophy of Eespiration,.341 

Ventilation of School-houses, 349 

Size and Construction of School-housee, 350 

Country School-houses, 351 

School-houses in Cities and Villages, 352 

School Furniture, ..,,.. 387 

School Apparatus, 403 

Text Book-^, .,.,..., 417 

Books for Township and District Libraries, 424 



3P uSk El 1? X . 

The Primary Schools of Michigan, and thbii^Funds ; 

Tns State Normal School, and its Funds; 

Thb Univbssity op Michigan, and its Funds ; 

The Statb Agrioultoral College ; 

HouBB OP Correction for Jdtenilb Oppbndbrs,; 

Abtlum for the Dbaf and Dumb, and thb Blij» ; 

Asylum for the Insani. 



THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS OF MICHIGAN, 
AND THEIR FUNDS. 



The lands set apart for the support of Public Schools in 
Michigan, comprise one thirty-sixth part of the entire ter- 
ritory of the State. Each township is divided into thirty- 
six sections of one mile square ; and section 16 (a central 
section) was by an ordinance of the old Congress, in 1785, 
sequestered "for the support of public schools." 

The ordinance of 1787, for the government of the North- 
western Territory, declared that " Schools and the means 
OP Education shall forever be encouraged." 

An act of 1804, making provision for the sale of lands in 
the Indiana Territory, comprising the present States of In- 
diana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin, expressly reserved 
from sale section 16 in every township, " for the support 
of Schools."' 

In 1805, the Territory of Michigan was organized, com- 
prising the Lower Peninsula of the present State, and mr 
eluding what is now two tiers of towns on the north border 
of Indiana, and one tier on the north border of Ohio. In 
this act, all the rights secured by the above acts V7ere 
confirmed. 

In 1828, Congress placed the School lands under the su- 
pervision of the Territorial Governor and Council, to pro- 
tect and lease, so as to make them productive. Nowhere, 
and at no time, was any disposition shown by the General 
Government to annul these grants ; and the Ordinance of 
1836, admitting the State of Michigan into the Union, de- 
clares : 

1 



2 PRIMARY SCHOOLS 

" That section numbered 16 in every township of the 
public lands, and where such section has been sold, or oth- 
erwise disposed of, other lands equivalent thereto, and as 
contiguous as may be, shall be granted to the State for the 
use of Schools." 

The first Territorial School LaAv was enacted in 1827; 
the year previous to the above action of Congress giving 
the Territorial authorities power to make use of the School 
lands. That law ordained that the citizens of any town- 
ship having fifty householders, should provide themselves 
with a Schoolmaster of good morals, to teach the children 
to read and write. Any township with two hundred house- 
holders was required to have a Schoolmaster who could 
teach Latin, French and English. For any neglect, the 
towns were liable to a fine of $50 to $150. This law was 
repealed in 1833, and another enacted, providing for three 
Commissioners and ten Inspectors ; and the management 
of the School lands was transferred from the Governor and 
Council, to them. This act also created an office of " Su- 
perintendent of Common Schools." 

The original Constitution of the State declared that the 
proceeds of all lands granted by Congress for the support 
of Schools, should "remain a perpetual fund for that ob- 
ject." The same specifications are found in our present 
Constitution. 

All the grants from Congress, and our first Constitution, 
speak of section 16 as sequestered for the support of 
"Schools," or "Public Schools." But by common consent, 
this has been construed to mean Common or Primary 
Schools ; and upon this construction all our legislation has 
been based, for more thaa twenty years ; and it is under- 
stood that no portion of the avails of section 16 can ever 
be used for any other purpose. 

The original design of Congress seems to have been, to 
make the avails of section 16 accrue to the exclusive bene- 



AND THEIR FUNDS. S 

fit of the township in which each section was situated. It 
is believed, however, that no act forbade the State to place 
the whole in a general fund for the benefit of all. By thus 
consolidating the fund, it can be managed with greater 
economy and safety, and made much more effectual in se- 
curing the greatest good to the greatest number. The 
wisdom of the act can hardly be doubted. 

After these lands came under the control of the State 
Government, (not ownership, for the State holds them 
really only as a trustee,) it was a subject of debate whether 
they should be leased or sold. Discussion and reflection 
soon convinced most, if not all, that the State could not 
practicably make itself a landlord to thousands of tenants ; 
and it was decided that the lands should be sold, and the 
avails invested in a common fund, the interest of which 
only, could be used. 

The total amount of the sections numbered 16, in the 
State, was estimated at a little more than a million of acres ; 
and the Legislature of 1837 passed a law for the sale of 
the school lands, under the direction of the Superintend- 
ent of Public Instruction — which office had been created 
by the Constitution. The Land Office, as a distinct de- 
partment of the State Government, had not then been 
established. 

By this law the Superintendent was authorized to sell 
University lands to the amount of half a million of dollars, 
and School lands to the amount of one and a half millions ; 
the minimum price of the former being $20. and of the lat- 
ter, $8 per acre. The reason of this difference in the price, 
was — the LTniversity lands were all selected, and supposed 
to'be of the choicest quality and most eligible location ; 
while the School lands, with slight exceptions, consisted of 
section 16 in each township, and of such quality as it might 
chance to be. The terms of payment were, one-fourth at 
the time of sale, and the remainder in annual instalments 



3: PEIMARY SCHOOLS 

of five per cent., commencing in five years after tlae pur- 
chase, at seven per cent, interest. The sales were to be at 
auction, and the lands were subject to forfeiture for non- 
payment according to the terms. 

The first sales were held on the 6th of July, 1837 ; and 
as might be supposed from the apparently easy terms of 
payment, and the extravagant ideas of the times, the sales 
were extensive, and at high prices. In a few months the 
sales amounted to over four hundred thousand dollars, at 
an average of about $12 per acre ; one fourth of which was 
paid down. The result, if not anticipated, was natural ; 
and of all the sales for the first four years, amounting to 
more than six hundred thousand dollars, about one-third of 
the lands were forfeited for non-payment of interest ; not- 
withstanding the Legislature granted an extension of time 
in 1838, and again in 1839. Many of the purchasers found 
that their land was worth less than the amount yet unpaid, 
and preferred to lose the one-fourth already paid, to pay- 
ing the balance ; while others (and these had in many cases 
made improvements on the lands) found themselves with- 
out the ability to pay the interest when due. 

In 1841 the minimum price of School lands was reduced 
to five dollars per acre. Relief to the previous purchasers 
was anticipated from an amendment to the law, which re- 
leased them from payment of the principal at their plear 
sure ; still subject to forfeiture for non-payment of interest. 
This applied also to future purchasers,, after having paid 
one-fourth. But this did not meet the necessities of the 
case, or stop the forfeitures. Men had agreed to pay for 
their land more than it was worth ; and they were hardly 
more willing, even when able, to pay interest on its ficti- 
tious value, than to pay the principal itself. Men who 
were in Michigan in 1838, "39 and '40, when it was often 
said, that the more land a man owned, the |)oorer he was,. 
through inability to pay the increased taxes, will fully ap- 
preciate the embarrassment of that class of men. 



AND THEIR FUNDS. 5 

In 1842 practical relief was granted them by a law for 
the appraisal of all School lands that had been sold for 
eight dollars or more, per acre, and all University lands 
that had been sold for $20 or more — the former to be ap- 
praised at not less than five dollars per acre, and the latter 
at not less than twelve ; the diiference between the ap- 
praised value and the original contract, to be credited upon 
the principal. Within ten months after the passage of th« 
act, over twenty-six thousand acres, which originally sold 
for $287,930 87, had been appraised by the Associate 
Judge and Surveyor of the respective counties ; and the 
aggregate price of the same was thereby reduced $101,- 
770 47. The reduction was from an average of eleven dol- 
lars per acre, to about seven dollars — not far from thirty- 
six per cent. At the close of 1842, the account stood thus : 

Sales to Dec. 1st, 1842, $711,404 85 

Forfeited, $240,004 35 

Reduction by appraisal, 101,770 47 

Total reduction, 341,774 82 

$369,630 03 

Forfeited lands re-sold, 10,202 acres, 76,769 54 

Paid on lands previous to forfeiture, 28,233 16 

Total supposed fund, Dec. 1st, 1842,.. . .$474,632 73 
The reductions on the above original sum, sub- 
sequently amounted to 114,823 32 

Showing the reliable fund, Dec. 1st, 1842, to 

have been only $359,809 41 

Upon the situation of affairs as they appeared at the 
close of 1842, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, 
Hon. Franklin Sawyer, jr., said in his next Report : " The 
magnificent air-castles once supposed to be immovably 
founded upon the valuation standards of 1837, have proved 



b PEIMARY SCHOOLS 

baseless, and floated off like mucli of the capital of that 
day, to parts unknown." The reduction that afterward 
occurred, showed that the fund continued to "float off," till 
but about fifty per cent, remained. 

Mr. Sawyer thought the law for reducing the price of 
the lands previously sold, unwise. It may have been so^ 
taking into consideration only the question of raising the 
greatest amount of money ; for even had the forfeitures,, 
without the law, exceeded the redjiction with it, the land 
would still have been "on hand" for future sale. But 
some would contend that a question was involved of higher 
moment than that of dollars and cents. 

It had become evident that hundreds had contracted 
with the State to pay considerably more for their land 
than it was then worth, or would be, for many years. If 
an individual consents to a hard bargain with his fellow, 
public policy forbids the law to step in to shield him from 
the consequences of his folly. But in its own dealings, 
the State is under no such constraint ; and when it found 
a hard bargain had been driven with its citizens, (and thus 
in a measure with itself,) though no wrong was intended, 
it was deemed by its legislative Representatives to be no 
more than just to remit a portion of the claim. Though 
the law cannot rectify a bad trade between individuals, 
the individuals themselves may, if they see fit ; and both 
they and the State should be governed by equity, - without 
the necessity of law. If a man sells his son a piece of 
property for twelve dollars — both supposing it to be worth 
that sum — upon which one-fourth is paid at the time of 
sale, and it afterward appears to the satisfactioin of both 
that it was worth but six dollars and eighty-four cents, and 
beside this, that the son is unable to pay the full amount^ 
what would be said of the father who should exact the full 
price, or the entire forfeiture of the property ,'jWith_al'l that 
had been paid? 



AND THEIR FUNDS. 7 

The State, in its legislative capacity, stands somewhat 
in the position of a father to its citizens ; and though it 
were well to create as large a School Fund as was 
practicable, should it be done by legal extortion from its 
sons? There ^vould have been more reason for so doing — 
or room for more apology — had the School lands been of 
comparatively a small amount, like the University lands ; 
but, with more than a million of acres upon which to raise 
a fund, was it at all needful, or would it redoand to the 
honor of the State, to have exacted the pound of flesh, 
because it was written in the bond? 

The years 1841 and 1842 constitute a sort of crisis in 
educational affairs. The commencement of 1841 found the 
School lands that had been sold, being fast forfeited to the 
State, with the prospect of a large part of the noble fund, 
supposed to be accumulated, becoming thus extinct. By 
the law above referred to, the forfeitures were measurably 
stopped, and by the close of 1842, new foundations v/ere 
laid, if not as broad as the former, at least more secure. 

The Reports for 1842 showed — 

The number of school districts, 2,312 

Children between 5 and 17 years of age, 64,800 

Apportionment of interest of the Primary School 

Fund, $15,000 00 

Raised by towns and districts, 71,655 8-7 

Total amount expended for Schools in 1842,. $86,655 87 

At that time, the towns could vote annually such tax as 
they pleased, not exceeding one dollar per scholar, and the 
Supervisors were required to assess to each town an addi- 
tional soim equal to its apportionment of the public money. 

In 1843 the State Land Office was established, and the 
control of the University and S.chool lands was transferred 
from the Superintendent of Public Instru-ction to that de- 
partment. Thus had the custody of these lands been seek- 



8 PSIMAEY SCHOOLS 

ing a home, and till now, finding none. First, it was given 
to tlie Grovernor and Council of the Territory ; by them 
transferred to Commissioners ; then assigned to the Super- 
intendent of Public Instruction ; but now — where it should 
have been, on the organization of the State government — 
to a State Land Office. 

The early Legislation of our State shows that the men 
who laid the foundations of our institutions entertained en- 
larged views — often so broad as to appear extravagant — 
and yet, time has shown them to be so, only in their ex- 
pecting too speedy results. But this error, while it was 
the cause of many failures with individuals, and much em- 
barrassment to the State, had a tendency to hasten the 
results they had expected too soon. 

Five years after the complete organization of our State 
government — five years of defeated hopes, and dissipation 
of air built castles — when bankruptcy had prostrated thou- 
sands who thought themselves rich — when total failure as 
a State enterprise, was stamped upon our magnificent plan 
of Internal Improvements, and partial failure and great 
embarrassment were attendant upon our Educational In- 
stitutions, we see in imagination, a prophet standing up in 
the midst of a disappointed and discouraged people, pro- 
claiming that : 

In fifteen years our strap railroads shall be completed 
by private enterprise, with heav}'' rail, and yield to the 
State an annual income of over $100,000 ; 

A canal shall be built without expense to the State, by 
which large vessels may sail into Lake Superior, and a min- 
ing business commenced, the ultimate magnitude of which, 
a prophet's vision may not safel}^ limit ; 

The taxable property of the State, from $29,000,000, shall 
be assessed at $150,000,000 ; our annual specific taxes, from 
$4,200, shall increase to $133,000 ; our population, from 
250,000, shall become nearl}^ 800,000 : our School children, 



AND THEIR FUNDS. 9 

from 65,000, shall number over 200,000 ; the amount raised 
annually from all sources, for Primary Schools, from $86,000, 
shall swell to more than $600,000 ; our School Fund, from 
$359,820, shall be, $1,613,000 ; our University Fund, from 
$137,000, shall be $503,000 ; there shall be a Normal School 
with 500 pupils and a fund of $73,000; our University, with 
25 students and 4 Professors, shall have 450 students and 
18 Professors; 

Nearly one hundred thousand dollars shall have been 
expended in establishing an Agricultural College, whose 
one hundred students Avould be doubled, but for want of 
accommodations ; 

There shall be a House of Correction for juvenile oftend- 
ers, which united humanity will regard as the school of 
schools for the prevention of crime, and the salvation of 
youthful offenders ; 

Tliere shall be an Asylum for the deaf and dumb, and the 
blind, whose eminent success will bear witness to the lib- 
eral humanity of the State : and — 

An Asylum for the insane shall be founded, on a scale 
commensurate with the woes of that unfortunate class of 
our fellow-beings. 

Had such a prophecy been made in 1842, the prophet 
would hardly have found more believers — inclined though 
the people Avere, to expect great things — than did the 
prophets of ancient days ; yet, in half of one generation 
of time, has all come to pass! 

Advancing another period of five years — from 1842 to 
1847 — we find that the entire sum expended in the latter 

year for Common Schools, was, $130,531 75 

Interest on the School Fund, 31,250 54 

Mill-tax, 7,368 75 

Total School Fund, $573,931 49 

Children between the ages of 4 and 18, 108,130 

Yobimes in township libraries, 43,926 

2 



10 PEIMARY SCHOOLS 

The legal sources of the means for the support of Schools 
at that time, were as follows : 

1st. The interest of the School Fund. 

2nd. A tax of one mill upon the dollar of all taxable 
property in the State. 

3rd. The voters in any township might, at their anmaal 
meeting, vote a tax not exceeding fifty cents for every 
scholar between four and eighteen years of age. 

4th. Districts might vote a district tax for building 
school-houses, not exceeding two hundred dollars in one 
year, where there were not more than thirty scholars ; and 
not exceeding three hundred dollars, where there were not 
more than fifty scholars. Districts might vote any "neces- 
sary" tax for repairs and furnishing the house, and for the 
payment of legal debts. Districts with more than fifty 
scholars, could vote a tax of twenty dollars for the pur- 
chase of globes, maps, &c. 

5th. The rate-bill. 

6th. The proceeds of all fines for any breach of the pe- 
nal laws in the several counties, were to be distributed to 
the townships therein, for the benefit of libraries. 

It was found that in many instances the laws v/ere not 
complied with by to^Vnship officers. The proceeds of fines 
did not always find their way into the fund for libraries, 
and in many cases Supervisors refused to assess the "mill- 
tax." The Superintendent of Public Instruction, Hon. 
Ira May hew, in 1845, procured the publication of the law, 
and these defects were in general remedied. Of 90,000 
children in 1845, 20,756 did not attend school. 

During the previous years, a want of well qualified teach- 
ers was greatly felt; not so much that there were not enough 
who were qualified according to former standards, biat the 
necessity was perceived of raising the standard of qualifi- 
cation ; and by none more so, probably, than by the teach- 
ers themselves. Several local Educational Societies were 



AND THEIR FUNDS. 11 

formed; but these, while they served to awaken in the 
minds of the people an interest on the subject of educa- 
tion, were little adapted to the purpose of qualifying; teach- 
ers. The Superintendent of Public Instruction devoted a 
large portion of the year. 1846, to personal effort with the 
people. He visited every organized county in the State, 
save four, organizing societies, and arousing the minds of 
tiie masses, as a necessary preliminary to a successful 
effort for organizations of the teachers for their own 
improvement. 

The first society of this kind was the " Lenawee County 
Teachers' Association." This Society is still in existence. 

The first ''Teachers' Institute," organized under that 
name, was in Jackson County. 

The Superintendent hoped much from the organization 
of Teachers' Institutes ; and strongly recommended aid 
from the Legislature in their behalf, as being better adapted 
to the immediate wants of education than a State Xormal 
School would be ; though (to quote from his Report,) he 
" deemed a Normal School indispensable to the perfection 
of any system of National Education.'' The State Legisla- 
latures. however, saw fit to leave the enterprise to the 
teachers themselves, to bear the expense, till after the 
Normal School was established. 

Ihe Superintendent also, in 1845, '46 and '47, devoted 
much time to the subject of Union Schools, and in persua- 
ding the people of the great advantage which might be de- 
rived therefrom. It required much persuasion, argument, 
and information, at first, to interest the people in the plan 
of Union Schools, which has sinc« become so prominent a 
feature in our Primary School System. 

Making another advance of five years from the period 
last considered, to 1852, we find the legal provisions for the 
support of Schools slightly changed, as follows : 

Ist. The interest of the School Fund. 



12 PRIMAEY SCHOOLS 

2d. A tax of tvjo mills on the dollar. (This was changed 
from one to tioo mills in 1851, and changed back again to one 
mill in 1853.) 

3d. The districts (not the towns, as before,) might vote 
■a tax of one dollar per scholar. 

4th. The same as in 1847, above. 

5th. The rate bill. 

6th. The proceeds of fines, &c. 

The whole amount raised in the State for the support of 

Schools, in 1852, was abont $200,000 00 

Interest of the School Fund, 53,881 92 

Two mill tax, -. 30,009 91 

Number of Children, 150,631 

Volumes in Libraries, 100,161 

.School Fund, • 864,476 10 

Sales in 1852, ' 52,709 89 

The sales in this year vfere about five thousand dollars 
less than the average for the previous eight years ; but in 
1853 they increased four fold ; and in 1854 nearly six fold ; 
amounting in the two years to $519,801 88. 

This was about equal to all the sales of previous years 
since the lands were offered, excepting the first year ; and 
the sales from 1853 to 1857, inclusive, were nearly equal to 
all previous sales from the beginning. 

From these extensive sales, the amount of interest 
.rapidly increased, till from thirty-four cents per scholar, in 
1851, it reached fifty-three cents in 1857 ; but in the latter 
year the sales amounted to but a little more than forty 
thousand dollars — not keeping pace with the increase of 
population — and the amount, the present year, 1858, is but 
fifty cents per scholar. The sale of the lands depends much 
upon the financial prosperity of the State ; and must of 
necessity show a wide difference between years of commer- 
cial activity, like 1853 and '54, and a year of revulsion, like 
1857. The increase of population is more uniform, and less 
affected by these causes. 



AND THEIR FUNDS. 13' 

The entire amount expended in support of Primary 
Schools in 1857, was $636,000 00. This shows a gratifying 
increase of interest in the public mind in behalf of Public 
Education ; and the more so, inasmiich as about two-thirdi^ 
of the whole amount was raised by the voluntary self-taxa- 
tion of the people, in addition to more than one hundred 
thousand dollars they were required to raise by law. Yet, 
large as this sum seems in the aggregate, it is probablj 
not more than ninety cents for each inhabitant of the State. 
But it presents, nevertheless, a gratifying contrast with 
1842, when the entire amount w^as but about thirty-five cents^ 
to each one of our population. 

The money so liberally expended in the erection of 
School-houses by voluntary taxation, speaks well for the 
intelligence and broad views of the people of Michigaa. 
More than one hundred and forty thousand dollars was 
raised for that object alone, in 1857. A most gratifying 
feature of this subject is the fact, that men of wealth are 
generally quite as read^'' to tax their own property for the 
erection of commodious and elegant School-houses, and for 
the support of the ablest teachers who can be obtained, as 
are the men of moderate means ; or as those who have no 
property, are to tax those who have. Indeed, it is proba- 
bly true generally, that the poor, whose tax would be very 
lit*le or nothing, have been the strongest opposers of Un- 
ion Schools, on the ground of anticipated expense. While 
we thus behold our rich men taxing themselves to build 
School houses, at an expense of five thousand to forty thou- 
sand dollars, with the interest that must consequently be 
felt in making the schools all they should be, for the proper 
development of the intellectual and moral faculties of the 
rising. generation, we need not greatly fear for the perpe- 
tuity of our free institutions. We may reasonably hope 
that such a people can never be made the dupes of politicals 
demagogues, or social empirics. 



14 



PEIMART SCHOOLS 



The following table exhibits the sales of land, and in- 
terest, for the several years since 1843, after deducting- for- 
feitures : 



Tear. 


Acres. 


Amount. 


Interest. 


To Nov 


■30,1843... 


58,552.78 


$401,425 39 






" 1844... 


7,454.66 


38,860 60 


128,099 77 




'' 1845... 


3,009.93 


6,974 17 


30,820 01 




'' 1846... 


6,879.63 


35,169 70 


31,308 20 




" 1847... 


18,350.32 


91,501 63 


33,770 08 




" 1848... 


15,026.84 


68,763 83 


40,175 19 




" 1849... 


8,846.66 


38,509 74 


44,988 65 




" 1850... 


10,978.79 


47,111 26 


47,684 33 




" 1851... 


19,189.95 


83,449 89 


50,982 11 




" 1852,.. 


12,602.59 


52,709 89 


56,823 60 




" 1853... 


48,850.04 


225,160 16 


60,513 29 




'' 1854... 


68,520.46 


294,641 72 


76,274 50 




" 1855... 


27,194.92 


109,366 99 


96,899 42 




" 1856... 


19,192.96 


79,192 34 


104,555 11 




" 1857... 


9,122.59 


40,597 27 


110,098 57 






333,773.12 


$1,613,434 63 





The capitol at Lansing was located on the School sec- 
tion ; no part of which had at that time been sold. The 
section was divided into lots, reserving about forty-five 
acres for State, Church, and local School purposes. 

The remainder has all been sold — principally prior t^o 
1855 — for the aggregate sum of $90,640 75, averaging 
$^52 33 per acre. It is safe to estimate the present value 
of these lots, as now held by their owners — and about one- 
half of which were sold no longer ago than in 1852 and 
1853 — at half a million dollars. 

The following table shows the comparative progress of 
■Primary Schools, at periods of five years from November 
30, 1837 : 



1843. 1847. 

Primary School Fund, IS359,810 00 $573,931 49 

Total amount expended, 86,000 00 130,531 7.5 

Number of Children, 65,000 108,130 

jVolumes in Libraries, I 43,926 



1853. 1857. 

51,613,434 63 

636,071 49 

215,928 

168,179 



$864,476 10 

200,000 00 

150,531 

100,161 



An act was passed in 1849, establishing a State Normal 



AND THEIR FUNDS. 15 

School, for the specific purpose of qualifying teachers. 
This institution is now producing most gratifying results.* 

In 1855, the Legislature appropriated funds not exceed- 
ing eighteen hundred dollars per annum, for sustaining 
Teachers' Institutes ; to be held at the discretion, and un- 
der the direction of the Superintendent of Public Instruc- 
tion. These have been held from time to time, as circum- 
stances and other duties of the Superintendent would 
admit, with highly beneficial results.i^ 

An examination of the records of the management of the 
School Funds, for the first four years, shows the greatest 
confusion, contradiction, and deficiency. The Reports ap- 
pear ambiguous and imperfect ; and the School and Uni- 
versity Funds are at times so united that it is impossible 
to separate them. Until the establishment of the Land 
Office in 1843, there appears to have been but little system 
in keeping the accounts, or it was so imperfect that the 
Reports conveyed no intelligent understanding of the 
situation of the Funds. The first Report from the Com- 
missioner of the Land Office, at the close of the fiscal year 
1843, says : 

" Upon an examination of the books transferred to this 
office, it was soon perceived that their keeping was defi- 
cient in system, and incapable of affording exact and 
perfect information of the business transactions of the 
department." 

This "exact information" must probably be reckoned 
with the lost arts ; though the latter may be recovered, 
while the former never will. It is, therefore, impossible 
to go back to the commencement, and make a table of the 
receipts and expenditures of the Funds. The details of 
the first four or five years cannot be obtained and arranged 
so as to give a clear exhibit of the subject. The earliest 

* See artitfle iinder head of <' State Normal School," foUowiDg. 
gj^t See-Beport of Superintendent of Pablic lastruetion, recently published, page 4T9, and oe. 



16 PEIMARY SCHOOLS 

specific statement of affairs is found in a Report of the 
Superintendent of Public Instruction, December 1st, 1842. 
From the most thorough examination he was able to make, 
of the subject, he arrived at the following aggregate re- 
sult, as it appeared at that date : 

Receipts on account of principal, $121,332 73 

Amount loaned, $84,820 00 

Amount in the treasury, . 30,533 50 

115,353 59 

Deficiency unaccounted for, $5,979 14 

Received on account of interest, $92,127 05 

School moneys apportioned, $69,141 80 

Expenses, 10,502 74 

In hands of agents, 1,777 72 

Uncurrent funds, 958 00 

82,380 26 

Deficiency unaccounted for, $9,746 79 

" on principal, above, 5,979 14 

Total deficiency in principal and interest, $16,725 93 

The deficiency was really more than this; as the "ex- 
penses" (and perhaps the "uncurrent funds") were partly 
on account of the University Fund, (probably one-fourth,) 
but the Report does not state how much : and we here let 
the deficiency in the School Fund stand as above, instead 
of $20,000 00, as it probably was. 

The following tables have been prepared with some days 
of labor *in searching and comparing the official Reports 
and records, and are believed to be as correct an exhibit 
of receipts and expenditures as can be obtained. If any 
person wishes to search for further information, he will 
truly find it a " search for knowledge under difficulties." 

Previous to 1843, the confusion and contradictions in the 



AND THEIR FUNDS. 



17 



records are snch, that an attempt to go back of that time for 
details was given up in despair. The tables therefore, com- 
mence with the accounts as reported in the aggregate by 
the Superintendent of Public Instruction, up to November 
30th, 1842. The first table shows the receipts to the 
School fund, as reported by the Superintendent of Public 
Instruction and the Commissioner of the Land Office, and 
the receipts and amount of fund loaned to the State, ac- 
cording to the reports of the Treasurer. The amount 
loaned to the State, is given from 1839. The amount 
loaned to counties and to individuals, up to 1842, (and 
nothing has been thus loaned since that time,) was $84,- 
820 00. This deducted from the amount received, accord- 
ing to the Treasurer's Reports, leaves $868 43 more in the 
hands of the State than is reported by the Treasurer. 





Receipts for principal 


Receipts for pi incipal, 


Amount in the hands 




Year. 


per Land office Re- 
ports 


per Treasurer's Re- 
ports. 


of the State. 


Expenses. 


1839 






$ 4,756 40 




1840 






3,315 64 




1841 






12,076 27 




1842 


$121,332 73 


$115,353 59 


29,665 16 




1843 


14,898 63 


14,125 60 


41,245 23 


$2,545 53 


1844 


19,766 04 


19,784 44 


54,799 00 


6,230 89 


184 s 


20,130 63 


20,028 20 


71,827 20 


3,000 00 


1846 


19,863 35 


20,226 43 


92,053 63 




1847 


37,933 19 


37,826 98 


129,880 61 




1848 


27,651 19 


27,450 73 


157,331 34 




1849 


17,959 72 


17,918 72 


175,250 06 




1850 


22,499 90 


22,462 90 


197,711 96 




1851 


41,166 77 


40,540 22 


238,252 18 




1852 


32,623 76 


32,399 81 


270,611 57 


40 42 


1853 


107,417 20 


107,417 20 


378,028 77 




1854 


116,991 85 


116,991 85 


494.525 04 


495 58 


1855 


62,228 45 


62,228 45 


555,994 82 


758 67 


1756 


49,060 61 


49,060 61 


604,855 43 


200 00 


1857 


26,203 82 


26,203 82 


630,742 94 


316 31 


I 


$737,721 84 


.$730,019 55| 


1 


$13,587 40 



18 PEIMARY SCHOOLS 

Thus, according to the Land Office Reports, the receipts 

have been, $737,721 84- 

Of which there was loaned, $84,820 00 

Expenses paid, 13,587 40 

Now in the Treasury, 630,742 94 

^29,150 84 

Apparent deficiency, $8,571 5'0 

Of the $84,820 00 loaned, $30,820 00 has been paid, and 
that amount is consequently reckoned twice in the accounts, 
and makes the aggregate footings so much more than the 
actual proceeds from the lands. 

Of the $54,000 00 still on loan, $11,900 00, which was 
loaned to individuals, is considered worthless — -the securi- 
ties being insufficient, and no interest having been paid for 
many years. The remainder is in the hands of several 
counties and is considered safe. 

The present entire Primary School Fund is situated as 
follows : 

Loaned to the State,. $630,742 94 

" to Counties, 42,100 00 

" to individuals, (worthless,) 11,900 00 

Due from about 7,000 purchasers, payable at 

their pleasure, 928,691 69 

Total Primary School Funds,. $1,613,434 Q>Z 

The following table shows the receipts for interest, ac- 
cording to the Land Office Reports, and the expenditures, ex- 
clusive of the interest upon the funds loaned to the State, 
commencing with the aggregates at the close of 1842. The 
first aggregate of expenditures includes, as near as can be 
estimated, some $4,000, which should be in the University 
Fund account : 



AND THEIR FUNDS. 



19 



Year. 


Receipts. 




Kxpenditures. 


To Dec. 1st 


1842. 


$ 92,127 05 


^ 82,380 26 




1843. 


19.567 


33 


20,878 26 




1844. 


21,218 


06 


28,617 40 




1845. 


26,831 


39 


22,810 97 




1846. 


23,543 


33 


23,209 52 




1847. 


25,653 


91 


31,274 74 




1848. 


27,147 


84 


12,133 42 




1849. 


81,500 


20 


28,831 OS 




1850. 


33,990 


31 


30,903 37 




1851. 


36,301 


53 


33,987 18 




1852. 


55,785 


19 


42,340 00 




1853. 


43,664 


65 


32,984 4g 




1854. 


44,320 


13 


43,394 32 




1855. 


57,281 


87 


47,237 18 




1856. 


62,310 


56 


59,999 61 




1857. 


66,667 


65 


84,855 38 






$667,931 


00 


$605,837 07 



In the Treasury, Nov. 30, 1857, $ 36,430 7'8 



$642,267 85 
667,931 00 

Apparent Deficiency in Interest, $25,663 15 

" " in Principal, above, ... . 8,571 50 



Total Deficiency in Principal and Interest, . $34,234 65 

The School lands in the State are estimated at 1,148,160 
acres. Of this amount, 704,000 acres are in the lower pen- 
insula, and 444,160 in the upper. Of all this, 334,413 acres 
were disposed of, to Nov. 30th, 1857. Estimating the part 
yet unsold, at four dollars per acre, (and it is believed it 
will average that sum,) or one dollar less than the present 
minimum price, we have a fund of $4,868,022. But call it 
$4,000,000 ; which must, in the worst possible event, be 
below the ultimate result, and it gives a yearly fund for 
distribution, of $280,000. This will be a rich fund, to be 
realized in the future ; but ere one-half of the present 
lands are sold, Michigan will have a population of two 



20 PRIMARY SCHOOLS 

millians, with five to six hundred thousand scholars ; and it 
is probable that the population will ever hereafter increase 
quite as rapidlj as the School Fund. This being the case, 
it cannot be expected that the Primary School Fund ap- 
portionment will ever be much, if any, greater per scholar 
than at the present time. Something may be gained, how- 
ever, in an economical view, as the population becomes 
more dense, by the increased size of schools ; thus reduc- 
ing the expense of teaching per scholar. 

But the School lands are not the only source of revenue 
upon which our Schools are expected ultimately to rely. 
The State has some five and a half million acres of " Swamp 
land," the present minimum price of which is $1 25 per 
acre. By the law of 1858, one-half of the proceeds of 
these lands goes into the Primary School Fund. If we es- 
timate one-half of these lands as valueless — which is 
probably not the case — the other half, at $1 25 per acre, 
will amount to about three and a half millions ; a moiety 
of which, added to the School Fund, will be equal to the 
entire Fund at the present time. But this is a matter sub- 
ject to the uncertainty of legislation ; and some future 
Legislature may repeal or amend the present law, and pre- 
vent any further additions to the School Fund from this 
source ; though the proceeds accruing up to the time of 
such change, cannot be constitutionally diverted therefrom. 

Another important prospective source of revenue to 
Primary Schools, is found in the Constitutional provision 
that all specific taxes, (except those from the Mining Com- 
panies of the Upper Peninsula,) which are now applied to 
the State indebtedness, shall, when those debts are extin- 
guished, be appropiated to the support of Primary Schools. 
These taxes (paid by the railroad companies, banks, &c.,) 
already amount to about $130,000 per annum, and are con- 
stantly increasing. Were it not for the State indebted- 
ness, the apportionment of the public money per scholar, 
would now be over one dollar, instead of fifty cents. 



AND THEIR FUNDS. 2l 

Thus it appears that the yearly income of the Primary 
School Fund — should there be no change in the disposition 
of the proceeds of the Swamp lands — will eventually reach 
five or six hundred thousand dollars. This result is re- 
mote, but toward it, time is tending. 

But whatever the actual amount of the School Fund 
may hereafter be, it is certain that it will be sufficient at 
all times, to afford essential aid in the education of the 
young. 

But it might be asked, what is the real benefit of a School 
Fund, great or small? Money of whatever amount, can 
never by its own power, teach a child its letters, erect a 
School house, or employ a teacher. Its efficacy is not in 
itself, but in the hearts of the people ; as the power of the 
axe is in the muscles of the woodman. A thousand axes 
can never bring down the towering oak until their posses- 
sor wills that the tree shall fall, and puts his own hand to 
the work as the active power. So will a School Fund, how- 
ever large, be valueless for any great results, unless the 
people luill that it shall do its appropriate work. And they 
cannot thus will, unless they have a deep sense of the im- 
portance of the subject, that shall create &, personal interest. 
A large fund of money will prove of little use, unless, un- 
derlying it, is found a great fund of warm human hearts, 
throbbing with patriotism and virtue, and an active desire 
to prepare the youth of the land Avorthily to fill their pla-^ 
ces when they shall have shuffled off this mortal coil. 
Then, indeed, a large fund becomes a great blessing ; en- 
dowed with moral power ; and money in changed into 
knowledge — sordid gold into living thought I 

That a large School Fund begets indifference in the minds 
of the people, is an assumption sometimes made, but which 
is yet to be proved. It is not proved by the fact that such 
indifference may somewhere have existed. Such a state 
of the public mind must be sought for, in some cause back 
of this. Men who are at all impressed with a sense of 



22 PEIMARY SCHOOLS 

their responsibilities as rational, immortal beings, cannot 
under any circnmstances be indifferent to the intellectual 
and moral training of the young. Ignorance, moral de- 
pravity^ and blind selfishness in the man, alone can render 
Mm uninterested in a work so important, so essential to the 
prosperity of our country and the good of our race.' Find 
a community where no interest in education is felt, and a 
corresponding indifference will be found to all subjects 
which rise above mere physical considerations. If such a 
community is furnished with an educational fund, and there 
is not found moral sense enough to make any good use of 
it, what tendency would the withdrawal of it have to awa- 
ken an interest ? If these things are done in the green 
iree, what shall be done in th§ dry ? 

On the other hand, the citizens of a community where 
exists a high moral tone, where the newspaper of estab- 
lished character is found in almost every house, and the 
claims of a Supreme Being are recognized, will not fail to 
educate their youth, with the same or a higher standard of 
excellence in view, though they enjoy the aid of no public 
funds. This is illustrated in no small degree, in the State 
©f Michigan at the present time, in the fact that during 
the past year, with a public fund of about one hundred 
thousand dollars, the people have taxed themselves over 
f^ve hundred thousand dollars more! The same spirit, 
amounting almost to enthusiasm, is shown in the regard 
felt by the people for all our institutions of learning — ia 
the numerous private schools and seminaries, the Normal 
School, the State University, the Agricultural College, as 
well as the Asylums for the Deaf and Dumb, and the Blind, 
and the Insane, and that no less noble Asylum, the House 
of Correction for Juvenile Offenders. To build up these 
institutions, the people are liberally taxing themselves to a 
large amonnt — regarding them, both as the loftiest monu- 
ments the}^ can erect of commendable State pride, and as 



AND THEIR FUNDS. 23 

the highest demands of an enlightened humanity, true pa- 
triotism and social good. 

Our School Fund should be prized as a rich inheritance 
to ourselves and our posterity ; but still more ought we to 
appreciate and rejoice in that high-toned public sentiment 
which determines that Education shall be universal — that 
this Fund shall never be perverted from its original design 
and greatest possible influence, and that the noble senti- 
ment of our fathers, whose hands gave form to our institu- 
tions, that " Religion, Morality, and Knowledge, being ne- 
cessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, 
Schools and the means of Education shall forever be en- 
couraged," shall never be repealed or disregarded. 



THE ST^ATE NORMAL SCHOOL, ?| 
AND ITS FUNDS. 



All the legislation of our State, from the commencemeiit, 
upon educational affairs, seems to have contemplated, not 
enly the necessary pecuniary aid for Primary Schools, but 
the highest grade of talent and aptitude in their vocation, 
that could be secured in teachers. This in our legislation 
was but the reflection of sentiment manifested by the active 
friends of Popular Education, among whom the teachers 
themselves stood foremost. Instead of leaving the district 
officers, who are usually elected more with reference to 
their business activity and financial skill, than to their edu- 
cation, to judge of the qualifications of the teachers they 
employ, as has been, and perhaps still is done in some 
States, our State has made provision for the_^election of ofii- 
cers who are expected to be chosen for their ability to 
judge of a teacher's qualifications, to examine every person 
proposing to teach a Primary School, and without whose 
certificate of fitness, no teacher can be employed, on pain 
of the district's being deprived of its proportion of the pub- 
lic funds. 

This was well calculated to stimulate teachers to a de- 
sire to excel, and Associations and Institutes were organ- 
ized in many places by them, for the purpose of improve- 
ment in their profession. With these organizations the 
Superintendent of Public Instruction gave a hearty co- 
operation, and recommended legislative aid in their behalf; 
which, however, was not granted until a recent date. 
These Associations were, perhaps, more than any other 
4 



26 THE NORMAL SCHOOL 

cause, the means of concentrating public opinion upon the 
subject of a State Normal School; showing as they did, the 
necessity of such an institution, and to some extent, what 
might be expected from it. 

The State Normal School was established by the Legis- 
lature in 1849; and its main design is to be a School for 
Teachers ; where they may receive instruction peculiarly 
..adapted to their profession; though the law contains some 
rhetorical flourishes about giving "instruction in the me- 
chanic arts, and in the arts of husbandry, and agricultural 
chemistry, in the fundamental laws of the United States, 
and in what regards the rights and duties of citizens.'^ 
The Normal School is to the Primary Schools, what Theo- 
logical Seminaries are to the Churches— it is simply the 
Teacher's College, and a school for 'professional training. 

The law creating the Normal School of Michigan placed 
it under the direction of a Board of Education, consisting 
of three persons, to be appointed by the Governor, and 
approved by the Senate ; one of which was to retire from 
office each year, by one new appointment being made in 
each year. The Legislature of 1850, made the Lieutenant 
Governor, the State Treasurer, and the Superintendent of 
Public Instruction, ex-officio members of the Board. The 
Superintendent was made the Secretary of the Board, the 
Treasurer its Treasurer, and it was to elect its own 
President. 

All this, however, was changed by the Constitution of 
the same year, which provides for a Board of three mem- 
bers, elected by the people, to hold their office for six 
years — one being elected at each biennial election. The 
: Superintendent is ex-offlcio a member, and Secretary of the 
Board. 

Ten sections of Salt Spring lands were appropriated to 
meet the' expense of buildings, apparatus, &c., to be de- 
nominated the " Normal School Building Fund." 

The Salt Spring lands consisted of seventy-two sections, 



AND ITS FUNDS. 27 

granted -by Congress to the State, in connection with the 
salt springs, which it was then hoped would become a 
source of wealth to the State in the production of salt. 

In appropriating the ten sections for the necessary im- 
provements to put the Normal School in operation, they 
were not offered for sale for cash. But all labor and ma- 
terials were to be paid for in warrants on the Commissioner 
of the Land Office^which warrants alone could be re- 
ceived for the land. 

In addition to the above, fifteen sections of Salt Spring 
lands were appropriated, subject to sale, for an Endowment, 
which was made inalienable for the support of the School. 
The proceeds were to be placed in the State treasury, like 
the other Trust Funds, and upon which the State was to 
pay six per cent., annually. This interest, with that re- 
ceived on unpaid balances from purchasers, was to consti- 
tute the "Normai School Endowment Fund." 

The Board of Education held its first meeting in May, 
1849. The location of the School became a subject of in- 
terest to the citizens of different localities, and at the next 
meeting of the Board in September, propositions were re- 
ceived from the citizens of Ypsilanti, Jackson, Marshall, 
Oull Prairie, and Niles ; each tendering to the State a site 
for the buildings, together with large subscriptions in 
money. Upon a full comparison of these liberal ofiers, 
and upon a general view of the subject, the Board decided 
to locate the institution at Ypsilanti, upon the following 
proposition of the citizens of that place : 

They were to give a suitable plat of ground for a site 
for the buildings, a cash subscription of $13,500 to be paid, 
one-third in September, 1850, and the remainder in one 
and two years thereafter, the use of temporary buildings 
for the Normal and Model Schools until suitable buildings 
could be erected, and the payment of the salary of the 
teacher of the Model School for five years. 

The site consisted of four acres, beautifully situated 



28 THE NORMAL SCHOOL 

upon the high grounds on the west border of the village — 
now city — of Ypsilanti. 

By an act of the Legislature of 1850, the ten sections c^ 
land appropriated for a building fund were consolidated 
with the other fifteen sections, to be denominated the 
Normal School Endowment Fund, and made inalienable, 
except so much of the same, not exceeding ten thousand 
dollars, as might he required to complete the buildings, 
purchase necessary books, apparatus, (fee, after exhausting 
the amount of donations. 

The minimum price of the lands was fixed at four dollars 
per acre ; but the Commissioner of the Land Office was 
required to procure an appraisal, below which none could 
be sold. An appraisal was made in 1850. A large portion 
was appraised below the minimum price. Some were 
valued as low as $1 50 per acre. These, of course, must 
remain unsold until they rose in value, or till the minimuna 
price should be reduced. 

In the same year, the Board added four acres more of 
land to the site for the buildings, and contracted for the.ir 
erection for the sum of $15,200— of which $12,000 was to 
be paid by the citizens of Ypsilanti. 

An act was passed by the Legislature of 1853, appro- 
priating to the Endowment Fund the moneys arising from 
the Swamp Lands previously sold by the General Govern- 
ment, not exceeding $30,000. From this the School re- 
ceived no benefit. 

After the grant of the Swamp Lands to the State, it was 
supposed that the General Government had disposed of 
enough to reach the above amount ; and that, as the lands 
had been granted to the State, the money would be re- 
funded. The amount of lands thus sold was afterward 
found to be comparatively small, and no money has ever 
been received by the State on their account. 

The Legislature of 1853 also appropriated $2,000, annu- 
ally, for two years, from the State treasury, to the Endow- 



AND ITS FUNDS. 



29 



ment Fund, and $3,000 to the same, to be applied to the 
purchase of books, apparatus, and improvements upon the 
grounds. 

But the income of the Normal School Fund, notwith- 
standing these appropriations, was inadequate to the wants 
of the institution. At the beginning of the year, 1855, it 
had exhausted its funds, and had contracted a debt of 
$2,000. In this embarrassment, it encountered the evils 
that have attended the first years of every State institu- 
tion, of whatever kind, from the organization of the State. 
It was found that the School must have further aid, or its 
usefulness would be so circumscribed that it could not ac- 
complish half its work. 

The Legislature of 1855, appropriated $7,700 for that 
y«ar, and $6,000 for 1856. This gave relief for those two 
years ; and in 1857, upon the recommendation of the Su- 
perintendent of Public Instruction, the same sums were 
appropriated for 1857 and 1858. 

The following table exhibits the amount of sales and re- 
ceipts of the Normal School lands, and the expenditures for 
the several years named. The expenditures include the 
appropriations from the State : 





No of 




RECEIPTS. 




EXPENDITURES. 




Acres 6old. 


Am't of Sales 










^ 


Onac'tof Prin.l Onac'tof Int. 


End'm't iund 


Interest Fund. 


18501 920. 


$ 8,600 00 


$ 2,150 001 


$ 15 261 


$ 611 60 


221 77 


1861 3,215.98 


13,524 19 


3,601 051 


206 28 


2,380 31 


717 03 


18621 1,055.95 


4,135 70 


1,613 33 1 


980 75 


3,556 80 


275 00 


1863 


2,227.98 


9,870 42 


3,909 79i 


1,319 04 


1,479 57 


3,731 38 


1«54 


3,063.35 


21 033 40 


4.591 37| 


1,783 79 




8,132 56 


1865 


1,609.62 


7,718 48 


3,814 51 


2,590 55 


67 56 


6,568 08 


1856 


2,309.31 


9,557 24 


4,463 47 


2,715 07 




11,367 74 


1867 


1,081.77 


4,327 08 


1,525 67 


3,000 55 


80 


10.063 18 



I 15,433.961 $78,826 61| $25,669 ly| $12,611 29| $8,096 64| $41,076 74 

Of the lands sold, there have been forfeited 720 acres, 
valued at $5,580, whieh amounts deducted from the whole 
amount of sales, as above stated, leaves 14,713.96 acres, sold 
for $73,246 51, which constituted the real amount and value 
of sales at the close of the year 1857. From this value of 
the sales, deduct the $8,096 64 endowment fund expended 
in buildings, &c,, and it leaves $65,149 87 — the present 



30 THE NORMAL SCHOOL 

amount of the fund. Of this amount, $17,572 55 is in the 
hands of the State, upon which it pays six per cent, per 
annum — $47,577 32 remaining in the hands of purchasers, 
and upon which they pay seven per cent. 

This makes the income from the Endowment fund for the 
present year, $4,384 76. But 1,277 i acres of the land ap- 
propriated remains unsold ; therefore, the income of the 
School can be but slightly increased without further aid. 

It is an old saying, that "there is no royal road to knowl- 
edge." Every child must think for himself. But if knowl- 
edge can be attained only in the narrow path of study, it 
is yet doubtless true, that path is made much easier and 
more attractive, for the pupils in the Primary School, at 
the present day, than it was when trod by their fathers. 
This is owing in part to the improvement in the style and 
construction of School-houses, by which they are rendered 
more conducive to health, and more inviting to the taste 
of the young ; but also, in a great measure, to the improved 
skill of their teachers. In proportion as Teaching becomes 
a profession, instead of an incidental and temporary occu- 
pation, will the teacher's powers of imparting instruction 
be increased. Men who are not yet very old, can remem- 
ber vs^hen tlieir "teacher" appeared to have little more 
thought of teaching ideas, than had the mistress who, with 
the spelling book reversed upon her knee, repeated to the 
impatient child, " What's that A, what's that B, what's 
that C," <fec. Who that attended the Common School 
thirty years ago, cannot remember the many times his 
"master" worked out his "sum," and never uttered the 
first word as to tuliy it was thus and so ? Well was such 
employment called " keeping school." Words were taught 
— ideas came, as the pupil could find them ! Not tha,t all 
teachers were thus deficient in the first qualification for 
their duties ; but it was true to a very great extent, thirty 
years ago. 



AND ITS FUNDS. 3! 

The great change which has taken place, is attributable 
in part, perhaps, to the general progress in all the improve- 
ments of the age ; but more directly, to the association ot 
teachers with each other, the exchange of ideas, and to the- 
professional training which they undergo in various ways. 
To secure this professional instruction to the teachers in' 
this State, is the design of the Normal School. In the 
short time since the School was opened, several hundred"^ 
have already received the benefits of its instruction. These 
go forth to impart the knowledge they have gained, to 
others ; by their personal intercourse, and by Teachers' 
Institutes and Associations. The Normal School is be- 
lieved to be doing all that its early friends promised for it;, 
and the future will doubtless make it still more efficient in 
securing to professional teachers, the highest attainable 
qualifications for their important and responsible duties. 

That this School will be sustained, the general appre- 
ciation of the importance of education for the masses, as 
manifested by the citizens of this State, is a* sure promise. 
The main expenditure for buildings, &c., has already been 
made. A ver}^ slight amount hereafter, in addition to its- 
annual income, will supply all the necessary material aid for 
its highest success ; and its whole tendency will be, to make 
teaching a profession, to dignify it, and call into its ranks 
a higher order of natural talent, and give to that talent its 
highest efficiency. 



THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHiaAN, 
AND ITS FUNDS. 



The men whose history immortalized the names of the 
Mayflower and Plymouth Rock, were by no means ignorant 
fanatics, to be led away by the impostures of stronger 
minds. They were men of strong and cultivated minds, 
no more to be led astray by sophistry, than were their 
hearts by the blandishments of a court Religion. Their 
love for purity of heart was scarcely less than their regard 
for intellectual excellence ; for they esteemed intelligence 
the best basis upon which to build a religious character. 
Consequently we find, that from considerations of religious 
responsibility, even more than from their love of know- 
ledge in itself, they began at once, upon their advent in 
the new world, to provide measures for the education of 
their young. Nor were they satisfied with merely making 
provision for a common education for the masses ; but 
they felt that, while all could not bo, some imist he scholars 
of a high order : able to understand the Scriptures in their 
original language, and to cope with error upon whatever 
ground it might come, and with whatever weapons it might 
choose. 

The country was a wild, inhabited by wild tribes of men; 
but those heroes of 1620, as though comprehending their 
mighty mission to this new world, immediately began to 
lay the foundations upon which our present institutions 
are based. But sixteen years elapsed before a College 
was determined upon, and an appropriation made for its 
establishment; and two years after, an endowment waa 
5 



34 THE UNIYERSITY 

made by John Harvard ; and thus, two hundred and twenty 
years ago, was founded Harvard College — the pride of 
Massachusetts, and of the nation. 

From that time to the present, a similar spirit has ani- 
mated the leading minds which in all our history have 
given shape to our institutions. The several States have 
always fostered the highest, no less than the lower institu- 
tions of learning. 

When those great men — great in the truest sense — the 
Pilgrims of the Mayflower, emancipated themselves from 
spiritual dominion, and established " a Church without a 
Bishop," they probably had some conception of what this 
land would some day become. But for its present great- 
ness, they would probably have assigned a growth of at 
least a thousand years ; not dreaming then of the wonders 
of railways, telegraphs or steam. Hardly less did those 
later heroes who carried the country through the revolu- 
tion, and established "a State without a King," realize 
what this magnificent "north west," then the abode of sav- 
ages, would become, even while some of them remained 
upon life's battle ground. But like the men of Plymouth, 
they saw something of what it would some day be, and 
they lost no time in commencing the foundations for temples 
of knowledge and virtue, upon which their posterity might 
build. 

Appropriations of land for the support of Colleges in 
Ohio — then a Territory— were made in 1787 and 88. In 
1804, by an act for the disposal of public lands in the In- 
diana Territory, of which this State was a part, three town- 
ships were reserved "for the use of seminaries of learning" 
— one of which was for that section now constituting the 
State of Michigan. 

In 1817, Gen. Cass and Duncan McArthur negociated a 
treaty with several tribes of Indians at Fort Meigs, by 
which a grant of three sections was secured from Congress, 
under pretence of furnishing means for educating Indians, 



AND ITS FUNDS. 35 

" to the rector of the Catholic church at Detroit," (to the 
rector — not to the church,) and also three sections to the 
" College of Detroit." It is a singular thing that these six 
sections were granted in common, to be divided as the par- 
ties should agree ; but so it was. Part of this grant was 
located on the river Macon, a branch of the Raisin, and 
the remainder on the Detroit river and in Livingston county. 
The three sections for the College of Detroit, nominally 
became a part of the University lands. The other three 
siccrued to the Catholic Church, and is believed to be the 
only grant ever made by Congress to any Church in this 
State.* 

The Government lands in the Territory were brought 
into market in 1818. The University township had not 
been located, up to 1824, and it was thought that a town- 
ship of good land of which none had been sold, could not 
be found ; and through the exertions of Governor Wood- 
bridge and others, and Hon. Austin E. Wing, delegate to 
Congress, an act was passed by which permission was given 
to select the land in detached sections ; and at the same 
time, another township or its equivalent, was granted. 

Thus was constituted the basis of the University Fund, 
consisting of the seventy-two sections granted for a Uni- 
versity, and the three sections to the College of Detroit. 

In 1821, a University was organized by the Governor 
and Judges of the Territory, and the control of the Uni- 
versity lands, with all the franchises of the College of 
Detroit, given to its Trustees. 

The ordinance of Congress, admitting the State of 
Michigan into the Union, declared that " the seventy-two 
sections of land set apart and reserved for the use and 
support of a University," by the act of Congress of 1826, 
" are hereby granted and conveyed to the State, to he ap- 
propriated solely to the use and siqojyjrt of such University.'' 

* After the death of the " Rector," the tilie of thi.s propeity became a question of doubt, 
aud an act was passed by the Legislature in 1841, ineorporatins " Tbe Catholic Apostolic and 
Roman Church of St. Anne of Detroit," to which the lands were by the act coufirroed 



36 THE UNIVEESITY 

The original Constitution, under which Michigan became 
a State, provided that "all lands that have been or may be 
granted by the United States to this State, for the support 
of a University, and the funds accruing from the rents or 
sales of such lands, or from any other source, for the pur- 
pose aforesaid, sAaZZ he and remain a permanent fund, im 
the support of said University." 

Our present Constitution is similar, and declares that 
the interest and income of all lands granted for educa- 
tional purposes, ^^ shall he inviolahly appropriated, and an- 
nually applied to the specific ohjects of the original gift, grant, 
or appropriation^' The present Constitution did not re- 
peat the blunder of the old one, in adding the receipts for 
rents, to the main fund, instead of using them as income. 

Thus it will be seen that the University Fund, arising 
from these grants of lands, is inalienable, and cannot be 
diverted from the University without a gross breach of 
original faith, and a direct violation of the Constitution. 
Happily very few have ever entertained a wish for such a 
result. On the contrar}', successive Legislatures have 
given additional aid by direct appropriations, to the amount 
of many thousand dollars. 

The present University of Michigan was established by 
an act of the Legislature in 1837, and located in the village 
(now city) of Ann Arbor. The situation is one of much 
beauty, comprising forty acres of land, donated by the citi- 
zens of that vicinity. The same law provided for the cre- 
ation of "Branches,"' as intermediate and preparatory 
schools, to be located in various sections of the State. 

Much ridicule — not to say odium — has been cast upon 
the early rulers of our State for their schemes — so extrava- 
gant for so young a State — of internal improvements. 
Twenty years only have passed away, and those plans^ 
though from unfortunate circumstances and equally unfor- 
tunate management, a signal failure then, are now more 



AND ITS FUNDS. 37 

tbau realized. Their legislation was a prophecy, since 
completely fulfilled. 

But if they had commercial and business views twenty 
years in advance of their circumstances, they had hardly 
less exalted views of what should be done for intellectual 
development. Had they commenced one railway, it might 
have been completed. They undertook three, and built 
none. So in education — with no capital save the anticipa- 
ted income from sales of land, they established the Uni- 
versity and Branches. With borrowed capital, according 
to the order of that day with all our public works, the Uni- 
versity buildings were commenced, and several branches 
set in motion. After expending thirty-six thousand dol- 
lars upon the branches, the}^ were all suspended, or as- 
signed to private hands. Had this money been applied to 
the University, it Avould have prevented years of anxiety, 
embarrassment, and at times great danger of the suspen- 
sion of the institution itself. 

The need of the branches was by no means unreal. Their 
creation was only a question of expediency, in view of the 
means to sustain them. As soon as an end of borrowing 
came, it was seen that the means did not exist. Their need 
was real, and the importance of Schools with a similar de- 
sign is far greater now than then. But the University has 
not yet, nor is it probable it ever will have, funds to spare 
for their restoration. Their re-establishment, therefore, 
may be considered impossible ; and the question is, how 
shall we"otherwise provide in the most feasible mannner, 
for the intermediate course of study for those who wish to 
enter the^University, or who wish, without entering upon 
a college course, to give their minds a higher discipline 
than can be obtained in the Primary School ? 

The Union School is a Primary School ; nothing more, 
except in its superior arrangements. Yet it is believed 
that these Schools — or the more prominent of them — may 



38 THE UNIVERSITY 

have added to them, with, no detriment to their primary 
design, an intermediate and preparatory feature, answer- 
ing the main purpose of the Branches, with but a mere 
fraction of their expense. True, no means from the Uni- 
versity Fund can be appropriated in such a direction ; and 
it required a pretty broad construction of the Constitution 
to do it in the case of the Branches. [For a more extended 
statement of the Superintendent's views upon this sub- 
ject, see pages 16 to 18 of his Eeport for 1856, and pages 
45 to 63 of his Eeport for 1857, recently pubhshed. in one 
volume.] 

At the organization of the University, no portion of the 
seventy-two sections had been sold, except to the amount 
of $5,000 by the Trustees of the old University, and no 
means existed with which to put the institution in opera- 
tion. But everything could be done by borrowing. The 
State was borrowing on its own account, to build railways, 
canals, and a State prison, and loaning its credit to private 
railway companies. It could do no less for Education than 
it did for locomotion ; and in 1838, $100,000 was borrowed, 
for which the State gave its bonds, payable in twenty 
years. This was' reloaned to the University, with the 
agreement that the principal and interest was to be paid 
from the income of the University lands, and that the 
State, though nominally a principal in reference to the 
loan, was really only an agent and endorser for the Uni- 
versity. With this understanding, the business was for 
several years conducted, and the interest paid from the 
funds of the University; when a singular change took 
place, as will be seen hereafter. About $122,000, in inter- 
est and discount, has been paid upon this loan, and the 
whole original sum — save $1,000— is still (in 1858) a debi 
against the State. Such is the economy of borrowing I 
But it met the necessities of the case ; the buildings were 
erected, and in 1841 the University was duly inaugurated 
as an acting institution. 



AND ITS FUNDS. 39 

The sales of University lands commenced in 1837; and 
Nov. 30th, 1841, had reached about two hundred thousand 
dollars, at an average price of $17 42 per acre. Of this, 
$37,043 22 had been paid in, and loaned principally to sev- 
eral counties, for ten years. The total receipts for inter- 
est to this time, were about fourteen thousand dollars, and 
the interest on the two hundred thousand dollars was the 
only available resource of the University, except the hun- 
dred thousand dollars loan, which was then about exhausted; 
while the interest on the loan had already reached the sum 
of eighteen thousand dollars. 

The first year in which the lands were offered for sale, 
the sales were $149,140 51 ; but the financiil revulsion that 
followed, not only diminished the sales, but rendered pur- 
chasers unable to pay their ii terest ; and tii^ receipts of 
interest, which in 1838 were $8,920 23, were but $2,203 29 
in 1841. The interest due the University Fund, from ac- 
cumulated arrears, was over thirty-three thousand dollars. 
Added to these unavailable resources, upon which to rely 
for the coming year, was $13,550 88 accruing interest, of 
which, like that alretidy past due, it was expected very 
little would be paid, and that little mainly in State scrip 
of depreciated value ; also, $11,445 18 of the hundred thou- 
sand dollars loan rendered unavailable by the failure of the 
Bank of Michigan. 

The estimated expenses for the coming year, including 
fifteen hundred dollars for the branches, and six thousand 
to meet the interest on the hundred thousand dollars loan, 
were $16,724. 

The minimum price of University lands, was twenty dol- 
lars per acre. In April, 1841, this was reduced to fifteen 
dollars ; yet but 616 acres were sold during the year ; upon 
which $1,015 28 was paid down ; and of over thirty-three 
thousand dollars interest due, but $2,203 29, as above stated, 
was paid during the year. Well might the Finance Com- 
mittee report that they would " venture no estimate of the 



411 THE UNIVERSITY 

receipts lor the coming year!" Tiieir nominal resources 
for the coming year, including interest due, and funds in 
tlie Bank of Michigan, were reported to be $58,210 63. Of 
tMs sum, $10,572 74 was paid during the year/'^ 

The expenses of the University were kept within the re- 
reipts only by the closest economy. 

In this year, 1842, the minimum price of University 
lands was still further reduced to $12 per acre. At the 
close of the year, there were five branches in operation, in- 
clnding one in connection with the University—with 174 
students, male and female. The year previous, the numb&r 
was 210. Those wbo apprehend so much danger from a 
coeducation of the sexes in the University, seem not to 
have manifested any apprehension in reference to the 
branches. But two hundred dollars each, was appropriated 
for the support of the branches this year. The balance of 
tlieir expense was met by tuition fees. The Faculty of the 
University consisted of Eev. Joseph Whiting, George P. 
Williams, Douglas Houghton and Abram Sager. (Of 
tliese, Messrs. Williams and Sager are still Professors in 
tlie institution.) 

To the 1st of December, 1842, the sales of University 
lands amounted to 13,013 acres, for $220,496 05. Of this, 
3,422 acres which sold for $77,293 92, had been forfeited for 
Bon-paymeut of interest ; of which 969 acres had been re- 
sold for $13,914 95. The purchasers found themselves in 
the same dilemma with the purchasers of Primary School 
lands — perhaps worse, as they had bound themselves not 
only to pay a higher price, but probably higher in propor- 
iiCT! to their real value. And to them the Legislature ex- 

* it IS proper to say that the reports for several years, ia the early history of the University, 
and even up to vpithin six or eiglit years past, are often very conflictiDg. Ic tiiis instance, 
the State Ti-eiisiirer reports "Eeceived for interest on University lands sold, and principal 
loaned 89,940 45," The Superintendent of Public Instruction reports, page 210, Joint Docn- 
laeots, "Receipts on interest for the year, $10,572 74." On pajre 292, the Superintendent 
Kays, ''The amount received by the State Treasurer, on account <'f interest from the fund, is 
leported at S10,959 53." The author of this article, therefore, will not vouch, in every case, 
for the absolute correctness of the figures ; but they are at least near enough to2ansv^er the 
geue,ral purpose in view, of showing the^condition of the University. 



AND ITS FUNDS. 41 

tended the same relief.* The law of 1842 provided for the 
appraisal of University lands that had been sold for $20, or 
more per acre — none, however, to be valued at less than 
$12 perfacre — and the amount of reduction was to be cred- 
ited to the principal due. The result was, that in the same 
year the aggregate of credits to purchasers amounted to 
$34,651 17. This, Avith the forfeitures, reduced the fund 
$111,945 09. The account stood thus : 

Sold to Dec. 1st, 1841, $203,471 76 

Sold in 1842, to Dec. 1st, 17,024 29 

Total, $220,496 05 

Forfeitures, $77,293 92 

Reduction by appraisal, 34,651 17 

111,945 09 

Amount remaining, $108,550 96 

Add forfeited lands resold, 13,914 95 

" paid previous to forfeiture, 9,425 83 

" received from old Trustees, 5,000 00 

for rents, 276 00 

Total University Fund, $137,167 74 

This sum afterward became further reduced, till it 
amounted to only $131,290 60. 

In the Report of the Superintendent of Public Instruc- 
tion for this year, (1842,) he states the total receipts into 
the State treasury, for principal and interest, of both the 
University and Primary School Funds, from the first sales 

to that time, to be $278,905 97 

And the disbursements and cash tlien in the 

treasury, 256,582 39 

What had become of the $22,323 58 

the Superintendent could not tell. About one-third of the 

^ See pages 5-7, on the subject of Primary Scboo'. lands. 



42 THE uNiVEEsrry 

deficiency is chargable to ttie ''profit and loss account" of 
the University . 

The interest to accrue for the coming year, 1843, with 
that in arrears, would amount to $62,264 17 ; yet, with all 
these nominal resources, the Board of Regents expressed 
the fear that enough might not be realized to meet the ex- 
penses ; although they had reduced the estimates to the 
starvation point of $2,700, exclusive of $6,000 to pay the 
annual interest on the loan. 

In 1843, a settlement was effected with the Bank of 
Michigan, and the balance due the University, $9,204 70, 
was liquidated, principally in real estate in the city of De- 
troit. In the meantime, the Michigan State Bank, with 
which was deposited $6,000 to meet the accruing annual 
interest on the hundred thousand dollars loan, had failed, 
and that sum'was rendered unavailable. Of the $62,264 17 
due for interest, only $7,526 57 v/as paid during the year."" 

The close of the 5'ear found the institution over twelve 
hundred dollars in debt for current expenses, though they 
had been kept within the estimate above. Well might the 
Regents report the prospects even more gloomy than at 
the time of their last previous report! 

In this year the State Land Office was organized, and 
the direct control of the lands, hitherto in the hands of the 
Superintendent of Public Instruction, v^ras transferred to 
that Department. In the first Report of the Commissioner 
of the Land Office, he says : " Upon an examination of 
the books transferred to this office, it was soon perceived 
that their keeping was deficient in system, and incapable 
of affording exact and perfect information of the business 
transactions of the Department." This should not neces- 
sarily be understood as a reflection upon the former Super- 
intendents of Public Instruction, whose integrity and faith- 
fulness has never been questioned ; but it shows with what 

* This is as reported by the Commissioner of the Land Office. In the Superintendent's Re. 
port for 1851 , it is stated to ha-ye been $5,427 03. The former is probably the correct amount_ 



AND ITS FUNDS. 43 

an imperfect system the affairs of those times were con- 
dncted. The fault was not so much with the Superintend- 
ents, as with the Legislature. If they required one mor- 
tal man to superintend the formation and development of 
our whole Educational System, and at the same time man- 
age and dispose of several millions in value of laud, partly 
on credit, with all the changes and embarrassments of de- 
fault in interest, forfeitures, and reductions in price by ap- 
praisal, &c., &c., what could they expect, but duties un- 
performed, confusion and errors? The real difficulty was, 
one man was required to perform the labor of several — an 
example, however, which lias been followed by Legislatures 
of a still later date. 

At the close of 1843, there were five branches in exist- 
ence, in four of which were 133 students. Three of the 
branches, only, received $200 each from the University 
fund. The students in the University numbered fifty- 
three. 

It was now seen that relief, in some form, must be given 
by special legislation, or the University would soon be 
compelled to suspend operations. The patriotic and phi- 
lanthropic hearts, who were directly engaged in the enter- 
prise, again appealed to the Legislature for help. But the 
State itself, was deeply, not to say disgracefully, in debt, 
and could give no aid, unless it could be obtained from the 
lands. These were a rich inheritance, but practically val- 
Tieless until converted into money. 

It will be understood that the one hundred thousand 
dollars loan was obtained by the State. For this its bonds 
were given, and it held the University lands as security. 
So the institution owed the debt, not to the bond-holders, 
but to the State. If the lands could be sold, the debt 
might so far be liquidated, and the interest thereon stopped. 
But in the previous year the sales were but $9,685 70. At 
this rate, over ten years would be required to remove the 
iacubus, though all the sales should be applied to that end» 



44 THE UNIVERSITY 

A scheme was devised, however, bj which it was believed 
the sales could be greatly augmented, the State enabled to 
redeem its outstanding obligations, the holders thereof ob- 
taining their pay, and all without any cash or credit in the 
transaction. 

The State, after borrowing money to the extent of it« 
credit, had then issued warrants and scrip, bearing inter- 
est, to carry on the government and its public works. 
'These evidences of State indebtedness, it was proposed. 
should be received for the University lands, and the State 
receive them to apply upon the loan. They were of greatly 
depreciated value in the market, which fact it was rightly 
concluded, would invite the holders to part with them at 
par for land. Thus the University would sell its land for 
a debt against the State, which would be an offset to its 
own. An act legalizing such an arrangement was passed, 
and approved February 28th, 1844. 

There is much confusion in the minds of many in relation 
to the "trust funds," of which our Educational Funds con- 
.stitute one class. This arises, doubtless, from the fact that 
the State has the management of these funds, and is at the 
same time the borrower of them. It wtis necessary that 
the University funds, like the Primary School, Asylum, and 
other funds, should be invested, so as to make the interest 
available. It was at first proposed to loan them to the 
counties, to corporations, or to individuals, as occasion 
might oifer; and that system was commenced. But the 
State itself was in the market as a borrower, and it was 
justly deemed safer for these several fuads, that they should 
be loaned to the State, than to A, B, and C, with all sorts 
of security, or no security at all. Under these circumstan- 
ces, the State determined itself to borrow all the funds of 
the University, as they should accrue. 

We may consider the State in the character of guardian 
to a minor ; and the guardian himself borrows the money 



AND ITS FUNDS. 45 

of his ward. The State never really owned the University 
or Primary School lands. True, they were "granted to the 
State;" but not in fee. They were m ^rwsi, for specified 
objects. Hence the term " Trust Funds," or funds held 
by the State in trust ; which, as the trustee, it has loaned 
for its own use, instead of loaning them to third parties. 

In the present case, it was as though the guardian of a 
child, Avhose only property consists of wild land, borrows 
on his own responsibility, say one thousand dollars, for the 
expense of the child's education. After awhile the guar- 
dian becomes deeply in debt on his own account, and his 
notes are offered in the market for fifty cents on the dollar. 
At this crisis, he advertises that he will receive his out- 
standing notes at par, in payment for the land of his ward ; 
with whom he agrees that he will apply the amount upon 
his indebtedness of the thousand dollars. 

By another act, passed eleven days later than the one 
authorizing the above arrangement, the Seminary lot (so 
called) in Detroit, which the University had taken of the 
Bank of Michigan, was transferred to the State, to be ap- 
plied upon the loan, at $8,095 — the same that it had cost 
the University. 

These measures, it was reasonably supposed, would re- 
sult in extensive sales, and so far relieve the University of 
its debt ; to pay the interest on which, had been absorbing 
about two-thirds of its annual income. And the result 
was : in about eight months — the remainder of the same 
year — the debt was reduced $30,212 48. The total sales 
for cash and credit during the entire year, amounted to 
only $5,709 57. This went into the University Fund — the 
State taking only what was paid in warrants. 

The interest upon the loan was thus in the first year of 
the experiment, reduced $2,352 74, leaving that amount of 
additional means for the expenses of the University. 

In 1845, the debt was further reduced to $43,258 06.* 

* The Board of Regents incorrectly reported this BBtn $37 20 le?s than the above. 



46 THE UNIVEESITY 

The total sales of University lauds reached $27,381. The 
interest received was |10,007 22. The first class, number- 
ing eleven, graduated this year. 

The crisis of the institution was now passed ; and its 
ofiicers, who had been long trembling for its fate, found a 
burden which other minds eould hardly appreciate, re- 
moved from their hearts. The only danger they had now 
to fear, was that the number of students would increase 
more rapidly than their means. And some embarrassment 
was afterward experienced from this cause ; but not such 
as in previous years, to threaten the suspension of the 
institution. 

In 1846, the debt was reduced to $33,850 ; and the re- 
ceipts to the interest fund were $10,274. This gave the 
University the means of paying all its local debts, with a 
surplus of nearly three thousand dollars. But the number 
of students had increased to seventy; and the Board of 
Regents voted to make no further appropriations to the 
Branches. It had become evident that the original plan 
of the Branches, to be sustained from the University Fund, 
could never be accomplished: that whatever might be its 
future increased resources, they would all be required to 
meet its increased expenses which the future number of 
students would involve. From this time, therefore, the 
Branches were doubtless wisely, however reluctantly, 
abandoned to their fate, or to such an existence as they 
could maintain in private hands. The graduating class of 
this year numbered seventeen. 

In 1847, the debt was reduced to $20,628. 

The same terms are here used, in speaking of the hun- 
hred thousand dollpa-s loan, that are used in all the reports 
of the State officers, and by the officers of the University. 
They invariably speak of it as a loan, upon which the Uni- 
versity was paying interest, and which the institution was 
anxious to liquidate, as it was now fortunately doing, by 
the process above described. The reader is here reminded 






AND ITS FUNDS. 47 



of this fact, as in the further history of affairs, he will find 
the subject presented in a somewhat different aspect. 

The debt which had rested so like an incubus upon the 
institution, and through the interest annually due upon it, 
had endangered its very continuance, now ceased to be a 
subject of anxiety, as it was certain in a short time to be 
©•ntirely cancelled. At the same time, the receipts to the 
University interest fund were slowly increasing — being 
this year about a thousand dollars advance upon those of 
1846. But the number of students was now eighty-three 
— a greater number than the capacity of the buildings 
could well accommodate ; and it was deemed indispensable 
to commence at once the erection of another main building. 
Acc-ordingly, over sixteen thousand dollars was thus ex- 
pended in 1847 and '48. The graduates of 1847 numbered 
twelve. 

In 1848 the number of students was eighty eight, and the 
Humber of graduates sixteen. There were now seven Pro- 
fessors. The debt was reduced to less than fifteen thousand 
dollars. The receipts to the interest fund were $10,829 44. 
The total sales of land amounted to but $8,432 88. 

The sales in 1849 amounted to but $6,560. The receipts 
for interest were $10,907 34. The graduating class num- 
bered twenty-four. The Freshmen numbered but twenty, 
leaving the total of number students four less than in the 
previous year. To meet the wants of the Laboratory, the 
Board of Regents appropriated six thousand dollars for a 
building for that purpose. 

In 1850 the receipts for interest were $10,473 21 — the 
sales of land, $13,621 58. The Medical building was nearly 
eorapleted, and a Medical Department was organized with 
eighty students. The number of students in the other de- 
partments was reduced to seventy-two. 

Under the old Constitution, the Board of Regents had 
Gonsieted of twelve members, appointed by the Governor. 



48 THE UNIVERSITY 

In them were vested the corporate powers of the Univer- 
sity. But by a change in the new Constitution of 1850, the 
Board consisted of one member from each judicial district 
in the State, elected by the people for six years. Hitherto 
the institution had never had a President as a distinctive 
officer ; and the new Board of Regents, under the require- 
ments of the Constitution, elected Rev. Henry P. Tappan, 
D. D., President. This gentleman soon after entered upon 
the duties of his office, which he still holds with much credit 
to himself, and advantage to the institution. 

It will be seen that though the available resources of the 
University had increased from three, four, and five thousand 
dollars per annum, to about ten thousand, its expenses had 
also increased, and the demand for additional buildings had 
at this time involved it in a debt of over tw^elve thousand 
dollars. For ten thousand dollars of this, warrants were 
drawn, payable in three years. Upon these warrants the 
money was obtained, and temporary relief gained. 

We now come to a point where history seems to repudi- 
ate itself. For six successive years, after the passage of a 
law providing a way for the payment of the hundred thou- 
sand dollars loan, the various reports agree in speaking of 
so much being paid in one year, and so much in another, 
the University ceasing to pay interest on the amount paid 
from year to year — the whole matter appearing to be as 
well understood by all, as would be the simplest transaction 
between man and man. The reader can, therefore, hardly 
fail to be surprised to find the following singular remarks 
in the Report of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, 
for 1850 : 

"The estimated receipts [of the University] for the 
coming year, are calculated at $17,088 23. The estimated 
expenses, $16,263 33. The former exceeds the receipts of 
last year by $5,088 23, while the expenses are alsa increased 
$4,973 92. The sum, of $6,010 is set apart, in this estimate,. 



AND ITS FUNDS. 



49 



to pay interest ujmi the loan of $100,000, and the balance 
for the support of Professors, <fec. It would be of no 
utility at this time, perhaps, to discuss the financial or 
general policy which has been adopted by successive 
Boards of Regents. The heavy loan early contracted, and 
the large amount invested in buildings, has proved a seri- 
ous detriment to the interests of the institution, and will 
continue to embarrass its legitimate field of operations 
until effectual provision is made for sinking the debt. 
What 'provision has been made for this purpose, is unknown 
to this Department. Information in this respect, was re- 
quired from the Board of Regents, but not in season for 
that body to prepare and submit it at this time. It is be- 
lieved, however, that the importance of relieving the Uni- 
versity! from this burden, must be apparent to all." 

To this time, the public had been informed, and all sup- 
posed, that the hundred thousand dollars loan was nearly 
paid to the State. The same Superintendent of Public 
Instrnction reported, but the last previous year, that "The 
iveight of a heavy debt, and improvident expenditures con- 
tracted at an early period, has been gradually removed, by 
the prudence and discretion of the Board entrusted with 
its management and supervision.'' 

That this referred to the hundred thousand dollars loan, 
does not admit of a question; as that was the only heavy 
■debt incurred at an early or any other period. 

It is deemed fitting to enlarge somewhat upon this sub- 
ject, by reason of the singular change in its aspect, the 
large pecuniary considerations involved, and the legislative 
action that has already resulted from it. 

The hundred thousand dollars loan was obtained for six 
per cent, interest, payable in twenty years ; that is, in 
1858. Had the lands which had now been sold for State 
warrants, to an amount nearly equal to the loan, been sold 
for cash, and that placed in the University Fund, it would 
7 



50 THE UNIVERSITY 

have been drawing seven per cent. But they conld not 
have been sold for cash ; and were sold for warrants, only 
because the State was willing to receive that sort of de- 
preciated paper at par. But it had counted dollar for dol- 
lar to all parties. The University had stopped six thou- 
sand dollars annual interest on the loan, but the means 
with which it was done, "svould have been earning seven 
thousand, had they gone into the University Fund instead 
of the State treasury. But it was only by assigning those 
means to the State treasury, they could be brought into 
existence or made available at all ; and though nominally, 
the University was losing a thousand dollars per annum, 
by paying its debts, it was really realising five thousand. 
It had been relieved from great embarrassment, perhaps 
from suspension, by the arrangement ; the State credit was 
relieved, by redeeming its obligations, and thousands of 
individuals were benefitted by obtaining the par value for 
the warrants in their hands. 

Before making their Annual Report for 1852, the Finance 
Committee consulted the Attorney General, who expressed 
the opinion that the payment which had been made to the 
State, could not be repudiated. They complained of a hard 
bargain, and petitioned the Legislature to pay to the Uni- 
versity the one per cent, which it was apparently losing 
upon the hundred thousand dollars in question. This 
would be one thousand dollars per annum, from the time of 
sale of the lands which had been purchased with warrants, 
till 1858, or till the State should pay the original lo«.n. 

The Legislature of 1853 more than answered this appeal, 
by an act directing the Auditor General to credit the Uni- 
versity Fund for that and the ^next year, with the full 
amount of interest on all the University lands that had been 
sold. This was treating the matter (for two years) as 
though the debt had not been paid. It showed in a strik- 
ing light, the readiness of the Legislature to extend aid to 
the University. 



AND ITS FUNDS. 51 

The Auditor General, Hon. John Siveegles, in his next re- 
port, used the following language : 

"The total amount due from the State to the University 
Fund is $73,504 46. In addition to the interest on this 
sum, the last Legislature (Act No. 60) required the Audi- 
tor General to draw his warrant on the State Treasurer 
for interest on $100,000 of bonds, heretofore issued by the 
State for the benefit of the University, and upon which 
the State pays interest to the holders thereof — thus making 
the State pay double interest on that amount. This is the 
plain and simple meaning of the act, although it is so 
drawn up, as in a measure to disguise the fact. It is true 
the act is limited to the period of two years; and if it was 
only intended by those officers of the University who 
drafted the bill, as a donation to the University of $14,@00, 
to relieve it from present embarrassment, it is well — but 
if it was intended as a precedent for future legislative ac- 
tion, it is wrong. It would bring the State in debt to the 
University $100,000 in addition to the $73,504 46 above 
stated to be due, and the State would also have to pay'the 
$100,000 bonds heretofore assumed." 

The next Legislature, in 1855, however, seemed to be 
neither convinced or alarmed^by this report, and passed an 
act continuing the payment for another tivo years. The 
phraseology of the bill was similar to the act of 1853 ; vir- 
tually admitting that the State should pay interest on funds 
which the records showed to be its own. 

The Legislature of 1857 again renewed the grant, to con- 
tinue for four years longer. 

Thus the State is bound to pay the University seven 
thousand dollars per annum, for eight years — or sixteen 
thousand dollars more than has been appropriated from the 
Treasury to put the Agricultural College in operation. 
That this money is well expended, it is probable that 
almost universal enlightened public sentiment will agree. 
But that it is secured by any legal claim of the University 



52 THE UNIVERSITY 

upon the State, will not bear investigation, except upon one 
ground : and one that has never been asserted in any of 
the reports or memorials. That ground, which may be de- 
batable, is the question of constitutionality. 

It may be said, in the exact language of the Constitution, 
cinder which the law was enacted, which is similar to the 
terms of the original grant from Congress, as well as the 
present Constitution, that " the funds accruing from the 
sales of such lands shall be and remain a 'permanent fund 
for the support of said University." If this is to be liter- 
ally construed, was not the sequestration of one hundred 
thousand dollars of the University fund for the payment of 
a loan which had been expended in buildings, apparatus, 
-<fec., a violation of the Constitution, and therefore void ? If 
so, then the University still owes the State the hundred 
thousand dollars : and its only means with which to pay it, 
are in its yearly interest fund; and a measure so detri- 
mental to the usefulness of the institution as the requiring 
of payment from this fund, will probably never be enter- 
tained by the people or their Legislature. If so, also, the 
University fund is one hundred thousand dollars greater 
than appears upon all the State records, and all the reports 
of the Auditor General ; and the sooner the record and the 
fact are made to agree, the better. 

The action of several Legislatures would indicate that 
the}'' either took the unconstitutional view of the subject, 
or voted under a misapprehension of the facts in the case. 

But it may be asked again, on the other hand, was the 
appropriating of one hundred thousand dollars to neces- 
sary buildings and apparatus, any infringement upon the 
"permanency" of the fund? Suppose, instead of this, 
they had loaned it to the State, or other parties, and rented 
their buildings, &c. Whatever might be said of the ne- 
cessity of such a policy, its impolicy would be apparent to 
all. But bad not tb^ course been adopted which was 



IND ITS FUNDS. 53 

adopted, this would have been the only alternative ; and 
what more permanent investment could be made, than to 
put it into the necessary buildings and conveniences for 
operating the institution ; saving thereby in rents, more 
than the money would earn if loaned? 

Thus the case now stands before the people, whose insti- 
tution the University is, and whose money the funds are — 
whether in the University Fund, or in the State treasury. 
It is for them to decide in which pocket the money be- 
longs. If they decide that it belongs in the State pocket, 
there is little danger that they will see the University 
pocket empty, without replenishing it, with a liberal hand. 
It is truly to be hoped that the educational spirit of the 
citizens of Michigan will ever see to it, that the increasing 
reputation and usefulness of its University, already im- 
parting its blessings to nearly five hundred students, are 
not blighted for want of all necessary means. But from 
the importance of this subject, and the circumstance of its 
having been very little discussed by the people, and con- 
sequently not understood by them, the Superintendent of 
Public Instruction deems it desirable that all the facts in 
the case should be laid before them, with a view to an 
early and equitable settlement. 

The following table shows the number of acres of land 
disposed of, and the amount for which it was originally 
sold, the amount received for principal, and for interest, 
with the average price per acre for the several years, from 
the first sales in 1887, to Dec. 1st, 1857 — the receipts for 
interest including the amount granted by the Legislatures 
of 1853, '55 and '57— to tlie close of 1857. The table is 
compiled from the Superintendent's Reports, up to the 
time the Land Office was established, and the remainder 
from the Reports of the latter office : 



54 



THE UNIVERSITY 



^^^'- sold. 


Amount of ss 


ties. 


Principal received. 


Interest received. 


A,v ge price 
per acre. 


1837 


6,492.92 


$149,140 


51 


$14,922 05 




$22 97 


1838 


507.72 


10,304 40 


14,635 40 


88,920 23 


20 29 


1839 


181.75 


3,872 


00 


1,089 85 


2,433 63 


21 30 


1840 


4,786.72 


30.457 


95 


5,380 64 


2,142 50 


6 36 


1841 


(a) 615.92 


9.696 


90 


1,015 28 


2,203 29 


16 18 


1842 


1,428.50 


17,024 


29 


3,489 91 


10,572 74 


11 91 


1843 


924.59 


9,685 


70 


1,964 08 


7,526 57 


10 47 


1844 


4,155.57 


44,922 


05 


21,451 83 


8,617 54 


11 05 


1845 


2,259.25 


27,381 


00 


17,561 66 


10,007 22 


12 12 


1846 


1,335.21 


16.254 


52 


9,375 86 


(6)10,274 00 


12 17 


1847 


1,182.59 


13,540 


10 


13,221 99 


(c)ll,l77 19 


11 45 


1848 


702.74 


8,432 


88 


11,586 72 


(f/)10,829 44 


12 00 


1849 


382.48 


6,560 


09 


10,233 67 


(e) 10,928 34 


17 20 


1850 


865.85 


13,621 


58 


9,881 39 


10,473 21 


15 73 


1851 


1,257.06 


15,501 


72 


11,674 72 


(f)10,414 06 


12 33 


1852 


1,143.05 


13,756 


60 


16,5U 48 


fe)12,755 41 


12 03 


1853 


7,361.49 


95,042 


20 


34,984 44 


19,939 76 


12 91 


1854 


6,363.55 


76,647 


68 


31,384 79 


26,485 34 


12 04 


1855 


2,288.14 


29,013 


05 


24,199 48 


32,871 07 


12 68 


1856 


1,209.41 


14.512 


92 


8.171 13 


34.511 29 


12 00 


1857 


679.25 


8,151 


00 


9,032 47 


35,201 96 


12 00 




46,123.76 


$613,519 


14 


$271,771 84 


$278,284 79 





NOTES ON THE FOREGOING TABLE. 

(a) In another place in the same Report of the. Superin- 
tendent of Public Instruction, from which this statement 
is taken, the acres sold are said to be 696, at $10,896 93 ; 
the receipts for principal are stated in another place, to be 
$2,831 69 ; while the State Treasurer's books give yet a 
third amount — $1,025 00. The receipts for interest, the 
Superintendent gives in another place, at $248 50, while 
the Treasurer's books give here also a third variation, or 
$2,463 61. These disagreements between the Superinten- 
dent and himself, and the Treasurer, will be made more ap- 
parent by the following table : 

""^ i Acres. j Aruount. |Kf c'd ou prmcipul. | Kec'd on Interest. 



615 92 $9,696 9u $1,015 ^8 $2,203 29 

696.00 10.896 93 2,831 69 248 50 

1,025 00 2,463 61 

This is but an extreme case of the embarrassment met 



Superintendent, 
Superintendent, 
Treasurer, 



AND ITS FUND8. 55 

with, in attempting to collate exact and reliable statements 
through all the early history of the University funds. 

ih) The old Constitution made the receipts for rents a 
part of the principal ; but the Reports this year, show that 
the receipts for rents were added to the interest fund. 

(c) This year the State Treasurer's books show $221 24 
less interest received than is reported by the Commissioner 
of the Land Office. The rents this year also, went into 
the interest fund. 

{d) The receipts are here again placed to the interest 
fund, and $136 29 received for penalty, appears not to have 
been received by the Treasurer. 

(e) The rents again go to the interest fund, and the Treas- 
urer's books show $186 54 less interest paid into the treas- 
ury than is reported received by the Commissioner of the 
Land Office. 

(/) The Treasurer's books show his receipts $129 50 less 
for principal, and $689 53 less for interest, than is reported 
by the Commissioner of the Land Office. 

ig) For this year the Treasurer reports, as coming into 
his hands, $602 75 less for principal, and $1,110 72 less for 
interest, than is given by the Commissioner of the Land 
Office ; and the Finance Committee of the University state 
the amount different from either. 

The aggregate of these discrepancies between the Com- 
missioners of the Land Office and the Treasurer (with 
whose books the Auditor General's agree) is $3,076 57. 
All of this, save $732 25 is in the interest account. This 
may all be mere errors of the Land Office ; but it is, to say 
the least, somewhat singular, that in seven errors, varying 
from a hundred and twenty-nine, to over eleven hundred 
dollars, every one is against the University. 

The average price of lands sold in 1840 was but $6 36 
per acre. This was in consequence of a pre-emption law, 
allowing "squatters" to take the land by appraisal. The 



56 THE UNIVERSITY 

presumption is fair that these were among the most valua- 
ble of the University lands. 

The foregoing table shows the result according to the 
original sales, to December 1st, 1857 ; but a portion of the 
forty-six thousand one hundred and twenty-three and three- 
fourths acres is reckoned twice, having been forfeited and 
resold. The amount actually sold, after deducting forfeit- 
ures, is 41,320 acres. To this, add the three sections, which 
do not appear on the Land Office records — making 43,240 
acres. 

The grants from Congress were the three sections to the 
College of Detroit, and seventy-two sections to the Univer- 
sity — or 48,000 acres. The University lands yet unsold 
amount to 2,749 acres ; showing the lands selected to be 
45,985 acres. This would leave 2,011 acres still due from 
the General Government. But from this should be de- 
ducted 429 acres, less the amount for which the *' Toledo 
lands " and Detroit " Ship-yard " were received. 

The true account, then, stands thus : 

Original grant — 75 sections — acres, 48,000 

Acres sold, 43,240 

" unsold, 2,749 

Less on Toledo lots and "Ship-yard," 429 

46,418 

Actual deficiency — acres, 1,582 

This shows 1,582 acres — or about two and a half sections 
— still really due from the General Government to the Uni- 
versit}^. 

It has at all times been known that a small portion of the 
University lands had not been selected. It has been neg- 
lected because it was a fraction of the whole, and not es- 
pecially needed, while large quantities of selected lands 
vwere yet unsold ; but the lands selected are now nearly all 
disposed of, and measures will probably soon be taken, to 



AND ITS FUNDS. 57 

have the unselected 1,582 acres selected, in accordance 
with the original design of Congress. 

The above table shows the original sales to have amount- 
ed to $613,519 14. In this, there is probably no material 
error. But the sum has been reduced, by forfeitures and 
appraisal, to $503,121 56. 

The table shows the amount received upon sales from the 
beginnicg, to be $271,771 84. It would be unsafe to 
vouch for the perfect accuracy of the figures in this col- 
umn ; but they are obtained from what are believed to be 
the most reliable of the conflicting records of past years, 
and the aggregate is probably not far from the truth. 
Only $246,161 33, however, has made its appearance upon 
the books of the State treasury. What has become of the 
$25,590 51 deficit? It probably must go to swell the 
amount reported unaccounted for, by the Superintendent 
of Public Instruction in 1842. 

The amount received to the interest fund from the be- 
ginning, appears to be $278,284 79. This includes $7,000 
per annum for the last five years, paid in accordance with 
acts of the Legislatures of 1853, '55 and '57. But from 
this should be deducted $1,910 63, paid for expenses charg- 
able to the fund, leaving the amount which the University 
is supposed to have received, at $276,374 16. 

The present University Fund, exclusive of the $100,000 
paid to the State upon the loan, is $403,121 56. Of this, 
$146,161 33 is loaned to the State at seven per cent, inter- 
est. This has been used toward paying other State in- 
debtedness; so the interest is no additional tax upon the 
people. A small amount was loaned to various counties at 
an early day. The remainder of the fund consists of un- 
paid balances due from about twelve hundred individual 
purchasers of University lands, and is tantamount to a 
loan to them. This class of debtors to both the University 
and Primary School Funds, number between eight and 



-58 



THE UNIVERSITY 



nine thousand. The State assumes all the care and ex- 
pense connected with these funds, (with a very trifling ex- 
ception,) selling the lands, keeping the accounts with the 
purchasers, and collecting the yearly interest, &c., without 
charge. 

The income of the University at the present time, in- 
cluding the $7,000 paid by act of the Legislature, is 
$35,218 50. 

The following table shows the sales of University lands 
for the several years, after deducting forfeitures : 



Year. 



Acres. 


Amount. 


11,063.90 


$131,290 60 


4,155.57 


44,154 05 


1,881.53 


23,296 19 


1,323.21 


16,020 52 


1,017.46 


11,839 77 


662.74 


8,075 4^ 


322.48 


5,800 09 


781.22 


12,896 52 


1,289.59 


15,266 29 


1,049.55 


12,453 35 


7,361.09 


95,042 20 


6,343.55 


76,288 03 


2,259.42 


28,754 57 


1,129.41 


13,792 92 


679.25 


8,151 00 


41,319.97 


$503,121 56 



Total sales from July, 1837, to 

Nov. 30th, 1843, 

1844, 

1845, 

1846, 

1847, 

1848, 

1849, 

1850, 

1851, 

1852, 

1853, 

1854, 

1855, 

1856, 

1857, 



Total, 



It will here be seen that the sales in 1853, '54 and '55, 
reached $200,084 80, or about two-fifths of the whole 
amount for twenty-one years. The avails gave opportune 
relief to the University, as well as substantial aid to the 
State, toward the establishment of her Agricultural Col- 
lege, Asylums, &c. 



AND ITS FUNDS. 



Below will be found the location of University lauds, 
remaining unsold, Dec. 1st, 1857 : 



Townflhip. 


Acrps. 


lOOths. 


On Sec. 


Township. 


County. 


5 s. 7 w. 


120 




24 


Union, 


Branch. 


4 s. 8 w. 


160 




26 


A.theng, 


Calhoun. 


5 s. 9 w. 


80 




15 


Leonidas, 


St. Joseph. 


5 8. 9 w. 


275 


39 


30 


a 


u 


6 8. 9 w. 


40 




5 


Colon, 


u 


1 s. 10 w. 


197 


36 


26 


Richmoud, 


Kalamazoo. 


1 s. 10 w. 


40 




34 


(( 


a 


4 8. 10 w. 


400 




13 


Brady, 


n 


4 s. 10 w. 


200 




19 


" 


(( 


4 s. 10 w. 


520 




21 


a 


a 


4 s. 10 w. 


40 




29 


i: 


u 


5 8. 10 w. 


120 




25 


Mendon, 


St. Joseph. 


7 8. 17 w. 


ai 


30 


22 


Buchanan, 


Berrien. 


7 n. 10 w. 


280 




27 


Ada, 


Kent. 


7 n. 14 w. 


40 




12 


Allendale, 


Ottawa. 



In and adjoining the village of St. Joseph are eighty-five 
acres, and village *lots 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16 
and 17. 

The three sections granted to the College of Detroit ap- 
pear to have been sold, but nothing has been found in the 
public records in relation thereto, or of anything paid over 
on their account, except perhaps $5,000. But the Trustees 
received also $5,000 for the land sold at Toledo ; and no- 
where is found any mention of their transferring but once, 
that sum to the present University. 

The University lands at Toledo, from their present value, 
are perhaps worthy of a special notice. They were se- 
lected as a part of the seventy-two sections, in 1827. This 
was before Toledo had a name in history ; but at that time 
it was perceived by men of sound judgment, that an im- 
portant commercial town must ere long grow up in that 
immediate vicinity. 

The lands were described as "river lots 1, 2, 7, 8, 9 and 
10, in the United States reserve of twelve miles square, 
lying on|the Maumee river." then in the Michigan Terri- 



60 THE UNIVERSITY 

tory. These lots comprised nine hundred and sixteen- 
acres, but were accepted by the Trustees of the old Uni- 
versity of 1821, as two sections, or twelve hundred and 
eighty acres. The Wabash and Erie Canal was at the 
time projected, and Congress had just made grants of land 
to aid in its construction. It was expected that this canal 
would cross these lands, and form its junction with the 
waters of Lake Erie, in very close proximity. From these- 
considerations, the lands were thought to be very desira- 
ble, and were therefore accepted for considerably more 
than the actual amount. 

A town had been commenced adjoining lot 1 — known af- 
terward, for many years, as "'the lower town" of Toledo — 
and Wm. Oliver and others, of Ohio, wished to obtain 
lots 1 and 2 on which to commence a rival town, or a rival 
section of the same town, believing that to be the most 
natural location for the centre of a great future city.. 
Their negotiations with the Trustees resulted in a trade,. 
in 1830, by permission of Congress, by which the Trustees 
exchanged lots 1 and 2, containing four hundred and one 
acres, for lots 3 and 4, (lying west,) and the southwest 
quarter of section two, and the west half of section three,. 
township number three, of the same reserve, containing in 
all, seven hundred and seventy-seven acres. 

In 1835, the Trustees were authorized by Congress to 
sell the University lands at auction ; but in 1836, the law 
was repealed, and the Trustees were, by implication, re- 
quired to sell back to Oliver, and others, the lands they 
had received from them in 1830, according to a contract 
assumed to have Ijeen made nearly two years previous. They 
were accordingly redeeded to Oliver, (the late Hon. Wm,. 
Oliver, of Cincinnati,) for which the Trustees received 
15,000 ; or six dollars and forty-five cents per acre. 

Thus lots 1 and 2 were practically sold for $5,000. Upon 
this tract, what was long known as the "upper town," is 
■situated. These technical divisions of the city are now 



AND ITS FUNDS. 61 

mostly obsolete, the whole space between having grown 
into a compact settlement. The far greater business por- 
tion of the city, however, is upon lots 1 and 2. To those 
familiar with the streets of Toledo, the following descrip- 
tion will be sufficient : 

Commencing on the bank of the Maumce, near the foot 
of Cherry street, (about midway between the mouth of 
Swan creek and the "American Hotel,") thence up the 
river to the mouth of Swan creek, including some three 
hundred and fifty or four hundred feet of the point of land 
between said creek and the Maumee, about five-eights of a 
mile ; thence west, crossing the foot of St. Clair street, 
about one mile ; thence north half a mile ; thence east to 
the place of beginning, crossing Washington street at its 
junction with 17th street, Monroe street at its junction 
with 14th street, Jefierson street between 10th and 11th 
streets, Madison street between Erie street and the canal, 
Adams street at its junction with Superior street, and Sum- 
mit street a little west of Oak street, striking the river 
near the foot of Cherry street. The tract includes the 
northwest quarter, and fractional northeast quarter of sec- 
tion one, and the northeast quarter of section two, of town- 
ship three of the twelve mile square reservation, contain- 
ing four hundred and one and a half acres. 

It will thus be seen that this now constitutes the most 
important part of the city, including over half a mile of 
"the upper part of Water and Summit streets. The whole 
includes nearly a thousand lots, according to the city map. 
And all this, but twenty-eight years ago, was purchased of 
the University in exchange for another tract, which six 
years after w^as bought back for ^5,000. By that time, it 
is probable that lots 1 and 2 could not have been bought, 
exclusive of improvements, for half a million! At the 
present time, its value cannot be estimated lower than 
from two to three millions ! 



62 THE UNIVERSITY 

Lots 3 and 4 lay directly west of 1 and^2, with the quar- 
ter of section 2 on their rear, making a tract of 457 acres, 
fronting over half a mile on the river upward from near 
the month of Swan Creek, and extending back on both 
sides of said Creek about one and one-fourth miles. It in- 
cludes all the high land (except a few rods at the point,) 
between Swan Creek and the Maumee, directly against the 
" middle ground " where the railway improvements are lo- 
cated. Upon it also, is situated the magnificent hotel re- 
cently erected. 

The half of section three, which accompanied the above, 
was farther back, but within two miles of the river, and is 
now crossed by the railroads to Chicago, Detroit, and Jack- 
son. 

The remainder of the University lands at Toledo, were 
situated still farther west, and adjoining the above men- 
tioned tracts. The whole, comprising lots 7, 8, 9 and 10, 
is now within the city limits. These lots, when accepted, 
were supposed to contain 515 acres : but a survey made in 
1848, showed them to contain 621. The first sales were 
made in 1849 ; and in that and the following year, all were 
sold except one lot of 44^ acres, which was a marsh or wet 
meadow, extending into the river, and at that time consid- 
ered of no especial value. At the time of these sales, Tol- 
edo containined a population of seven to nine thousand 
souls, and was rapidly growing in importance. Its com- 
merce at that time exceeded that of any other port save 
one, upon Lake Erie. The lands were sold for twelve to 
twenty-five dollars per acre — but one lot of twenty-seven 
acres going above the last named sum. That sold for $30 
per acre. The average price was $19 62 per acre. These 
lots are now valued at $300 to $1,000 per acre. 

The 44'J acres above mentioned, was claimed by an indi- 
vidual on a pre-emption right. A suit had been instituted 
in the Courts of Ohio, and a judgment was rendered in his 
favor. An appeal was taken, which was pending in 1855 ; 



AND ITS FUNDS. 63 

when a citizen of Toledo proposed to give $1,000 for tlie 
tract, and himself asc^ume all risk as to the title. It was 
accordingly sold for that sum — closing up the ownership 
of the University in the Toledo lands. 

When these lands were selected, they were not in Ohio, 
but in the Territory of Michigan, as bounded by more than 
one Congressional enactment. But the State of Ohio 
wished to possess the outlet of the Maumee, as well as to 
have within her borders the important commercial city 
which it was seen must grow up upon its banks. The old 
boundary, of aline drawn due east from the south end of Lake 
Michigan, ran some three miles south of Toledo ; and when 
the people of Michigan Territory began to talk of organ- 
izing a State government, the citizens of Ohio claimed that 
their State extended five or six miles north of Toledo, and 
attempted to exercise jurisdiction over the Territory in 
dispute. The history of that contest is familiar to all. 
The people of Michigan raised an army, and prevented the 
holding of a Court in the disputed Territory. 

When the Territory was admitted into the Union of 
States, Ohio influence was sufficient in Congress, to obtain- 
her demands, and the line, as claimed by her, was declared 
to be the Southern boundary of the State of Michigan. 
As a virtual confession however, that Michigan was robbed 
of the Territory in question, the whole "Upper Peninsula," 
was thrown in as an offset, to appease the outraged feelings 
of the Wolverines. 

The University lands were then de facto, if not dejure 
in the State of Ohio, and subject to her taxation. Our 
State officers, whose duty it was to attend to the business, 
neglected to pay the taxes, and they were sold, and bid in 
by the State of Ohio. This was in 1839. Thus the mat- 
ter stood till 1842, when the authorities of Ohio, having 
doubts as to the legality of the forms under which they 
were sold, determined to sell them again. The taxes, in- 
terest, &c., then claimed, amounted to 1550 79. When it 



64 THE UNIVERSITY 

was found that the lands (comprising all the original tract 
save lots 1 and 2) were in danger of being lost, an appeal 
was made to the Legislature of Ohio, which remitted the 
amount. iFrom that time, the lands were looked after, and 
the Commissioners of the Land Office reported upon them 
from year to year — advising that they should not be sold — 
till 1849 ; when they were required by the Legislature to 
be appraised and offered at public sale. They were ap- 
praised at the average price of $19 66 per acre. One 
hundred and ten acres sold at auction, at an average price 
of $24 19 per acre. The Commissioner of the Land Office 
reported that the time was "not far distant when the lands 
would be worth three times their present value," and ap- 
proved of their sale at the time, only because they were 
situated in another State. Nine years have passed, and 
they are worth fifteen or twenty times the sum for which 
they were sold. 

Such is the history of the University lands at Toledo. 
All the Fund has realised therefrom, is $17,311 37 ; or 
about $17 00 per acre, for what is now worth on an ave- 
rage, more than theee thousand dollars per acre ! Thus 
narrowly did the University of Michigan escape from be- 
coming rich ! 

the observatory. 

The Observatory, in connection with the University, but 
recently added to its other attractions and means of influ- 
ence, by the liberality of the citizens of Detroit, may ap- 
propriately be noticed in this place. Such is the magni- 
tude of this Department, and such the interest that can 
but be felt by the public in its explorations among the 
heavenly bodies, that it seems befitting to give its history, 
and to place on record the munificence of the generous 
donors who have borne the expense of the enterprise. At 
the request, therefore, of the Superintendent of Public 



AND ITS FUNDS. 65 

Instruction, the following statement has been prepared bj 
Mr. James C. Watson, the Assistant Observer : 

The project of erecting an Astronomical Observatory 
originated Avith Dr. Tappan, of the Universit3\ In his in- 
augural address delivered on the 21st of December, 1852, he 
showed how advantageously private munificence might be 
admitted into a State Institution. The same day, after his 
inauguration, he recieved a visit from Hon. Henry N. 
Walker, of Detroit, who expressed his deep interest in the 
University, and his wish to do something for its advance- 
ment, in accordance with the suggestion of the inaugural 
address. Whereupon Dr. Tappan inquired whether the 
citizens of Detroit would subscribe money for establishing 
an Observatory, to which Mr. Walker promptly answered in 
the affirmative. An appointment was then made to meet 
friends of the enterprise at the Michigan Exchange, in De- 
troit, a few days afterward. At this meeting Dr. Tappan 
unfolded the project, addresses were made by several gen- 
tlemen, and much enthusiasm was manifested. 

The result of the meeting was the following subscription: 

"Detroit, December 29, 1852. 

The undersigned, being desirous of obtaining the erec- 
tion of an Observatory on the University grounds, at Ann 
Arbor, to be connected with the University of Michigan, 
do hereby agree' to pay to the President of the University 
the sums set opposite our respective names, to be paid one 
half on or before the first day of July next, and one half 
on or before the first day of October next, to be expended 
under the direction of the President of the University, in 
the erection and furnishing of an Observatory to be called 
the Detroit Observatory, to be forever connected with 
the University of Michigan; such payments to be made only 
in case at least ten thousand dollars is subscribed for that 
purpose. [Signed.] 

Henry N. Walker, $500 00 



66 THE UIs^IVEKSITY 

H. P. Baldwin, 500 00 

Z. Chandler, 500 00 

Elisha C. Litchfield, 500 00 

F. & C. H. Buhl, 500 00 

Catharine H. Jones, 500 00 

B. Wight, 500 00 

Smith, Dwight & Co., 500 00 

J. W. Brooks, 500 00 

E. A. Bush, 500 00 

Eranklin Moore, 250 00 

J. A. Van Dyke, 200 00 

Shubael Conant, 100 00 

C. C. Trowbridge, 100 00 

J. W. Tillman, 100 00 

B. Hubbard, 100 00 

S. Barstow, 100 00 

Samuel T. Douglass, 100 00 

C. A. Trowbridge, 100 00 

Henry Ledyard, 100 00 

S. N. Kendrick, 100 00 

Lothrop & Duffield, 100 00 

Duncan Stewart, 100 00 

Wm. M. Whitcomb, 100 00 

Henry D. A. Ward, 100 00 

C. Howard, 100 00 

John Owen, 100 00 

E. N. Wilcox, 50 00 

Total, $7,000 00 

The plan originally proposed, as may be readily inferred 
from the amount of money contemplated to be raised by 
subscription, was to purchase only a large telescope and 
erect a building sufficient for its accommodation. The un- 
expected liberality, however, with which the project was 
received by those who were both willing and able to carry 
it into effect, soon induced President Tappan to enlarge 



AND ITS FUNDS. 67 

the plan so as to embrace nothing less than the erection 
and equipment of a first class Astronomical Observatory. 

On mentioning his views to Mr. Walker and several 
other friends of the enterprise, they encouraged him to 
proceed. In the month of February following, Dr. Tappan, 
then on his way to Europe, was accompanied to New York, 
by Mr. Walker, and at a meeting which took place at the 
residence of Col. Livingston, in that city, where several sci- 
entific gentlemen were present, a contract was made with 
Mr. Henry Fitz, 237 Fifth Street, New York, to furnish an 
Achromatic refracting telescope, equatorially mounted, of 
at least twelve inches clear aperture, to be delivered in 
that city, ready for transportation, on or before the first 
day of June, 1854. The amount which Mr. Fitz was to re- 
ceive for this instrument, when completed, was six thou- 
sand one hundred and fifty dollars. 

In view, therefore, of the superior dimensions of the 
Equatorial contracted for, which was to be second only to 
the great Refractors at Cambridge, Massachusetts, and at 
Pulkowa, in Russia, it seemed extremely desirable that the 
other equipments of the Observatory should be corres- 
pondingly extensive. The amount already subscribed, 
would not allow of the perfection of such a liberal and ex- 
tended plan. Mr. Walker, however, immediately furnished 
Dr. Tappan with funds to purchase, while in Europe, a 
Meridian Circle of the largest and most expensive kind. 

Having thus already contracted for a great Refracting 
Telescope to be made by an American artist, Dr. Tappan 
sailed with his family for Europe, where they duly and 
safely arrived. After having visited the principal obser- 
vatories in England, France, and Italy, leaving his family 
at Geneva, in Switzerland, he repaired to northern Ger- 
many, and upon arriving at Berlin, visited the Royal Ob- 
servatory in that city, where he became acquainted with 
Professor Encke, the celebrated Astronomer, and his assis- 
tant, Dr. Brunnow. He had no sooner made known his 



68 THE UNIVEESITY 

plans to these gentlemen than they at once recommended 
him to employ Messrs. Pistor and Martins, of Berlin, tO' 
construct the Meridian Circle, and, at his request, they 
very kindly consented to supervise its construction in every 
particular. The result of this recommendation was the 
following contract with the above named artists : 

"We do hereby engage to make for the University of 
Michigan, in the United States of America, a Transit in- 
strument [Meridian Circle] with a telescope of eight feet 
focal length, English measure, with an object-glass of sev- 
enty-two French lines, in diameter, with two divided cir- 
cles of three feet diameter each, with eight microscopes- 
and complete furniture, throughout as described under 
number one of our Preis Verzeichniss. We engage to fur- 
nish and deliver the same by May 1st, 1854, and to pack 
and forward the same to New York to the care of Messrs.. 
Sturges, Bennett & Co., unless in the mean time otherwise 
directed. We accept Professor Encke and Dr. Brunnow, of 
Berlin, as the judges of the instrument, and engage to fur- 
nish one with which they shall be satisfied. The above 
instrument we engage to make for the sum of four thousand 
Prussian Thalers, to be paid us upon delivery of the instru- 
ment. Dated Berlin, July 15th. 1853. 

In witness whereof, we have set the hand and seal of our- 

firm. 

[Signed.] PISTOR & MARTINS, [Seal.]" 

Witness — [Signed,] De. Brunnow. 

By the terms of this contract, it will, be perceived that 
the instrument was not to be paid for until approved and' 
delivered. Dr. Tappan, therefore, brought back and re- 
turned to Mr. Walker the Bill of Exchange with which he 
had furnished him. After the instrument was received at 
Ann Arbor, Mr. Walker paid for it, and donated it to the 
Observatory. 

At the recommendation, also, of Professor Encke, Dr. 
Tappan purchased of Mr. Tiede, of Berlin, an Astro- 



AND ITS FUNDS. 69 

nomical Clock, which was thoroughly tested at the Royal 
Observatory, before its acceptance and shipment to this 
country. After his return, he also engaged Messrs. Pistor 
& Martins to furnish two collimators, at a cost of $375 00. 

Having thus accomplished the object of his visit, so far 
as it related to the Observatory, he spent the remaining 
portion of his stay in Europe in visiting the schools and in 
examining into the system of public instruction. He re- 
turned to Ann Arbor in the month of September, 1853, 
after an absence of only seven months. 

While the instruments were in process of construction, 
the Regents of the University purchased about five acres 
of ground, situated a little more than a quarter of a mile 
northeast from the University grounds, including an emi- 
nence high above the surrounding country, and command- 
ing, in every direction, a clear and unobstructed view of 
the horizon. The plans and drawings for the building- 
having been completed by Professor Bull, of New York, 
whom Dr. Tappan had employed to superintend its con- 
struction, before leaving for Europe, ground was broken 
for laying the foundation of the great central pier, which 
was to support the great equatorial telescope, early in 
May, 1853. From this time onward the work of construct- 
ing the building progressed favorably and rapidly until its 
completion, which was in due time for the reception of the 
instruments. 

The amount of money, however, as we have previously 
remarked, which had, up to this time, been subscribed, 
was not sufficient to defray the additional expense arising 
from the extended plan which was being carried out, and 
it became necessary, under these circumstances, to appeal 
to those who were liberal and wealthy, that the deficiency 
should no longer exist. The result of this appeal was the 
following : 



70 THE UNIVERSITY 

"Detroit, May, 1854. 
"The undersigned, being desirous of finishing and fur- 
nishing the Observatory now constructing at Ann Arbor, 
called the Detroit Observatory, upon the improved and 
extended plan now in course of being carried out, agree 
to pay the sums set opposite to our names, on or before 
the first day of September next, to the President of the 
University of Michigan, to be expended by him in the 
completion and furnishing of the Observatory aforesaid : 

M. Weston Field, $100 00 

J. M. Harmon, 100 00 

W. S. Driggs, 100 00 

J. W. Brooks, 100 00 

"Theodore H. Baton, 100 00 

E. W. Hudson, 60 00 

T. H. Hinchman, 50 00 

John Winder, 50 00 

Eliza E. Stuart, 50 00 

Pittman, Trowbridge & Jones, 50 00 

C. A. Trowbridge, 50 00 

Henry Foty, 50 00 

James H. Hicks, 50 00 

James H. Armstrong, 25 00 

George Doty, 25 00 

B. C. Whittemore, 25 00 

Sylvester Larned, 25 00 

E. A. Lansing, 25 00 

B. B. &. W. R. Noyes, 25 00 

J. C. Holmes, 25 00 

Edwin Noyes, 25 00 

James Y. Campbell, 25 00 

Bridge & Lewis, 25 00 

Total, $1,150 00". 

To this must be added Mr. Walker's draft for the amount 
which was to be paid for the Meridian Circle, making the 



AND ITS FUNDS. 71 

total amount of his subscription three thousand seven hun- 
dred dollars. 

The building and instruments were now rapidly arriving 
toward completion, and it remained, therefore, before the 
latter could be mounted and prepared for use, to procure 
the services of an Astronomer competent to undertake the 
future scientific direction of the Observatory. The great 
neglect ^vhich had been shown to astronomical science in 
our country, rendered it necessary to look abroad for some 
one qualified to undertake this duty ; and very naturally, 
of course, the name of Dr. Brunnow, who, from the very 
beginning, had so disinterestedly exerted himself, as far as 
it lay in his power, to perfect the plans of the liberal and 
enlightened donors, appeared most conspicuous among the 
brilliant array of European astronomers. The fitness of 
such a selection received the cordial and unanimous ap- 
proval of the friends of the enterprise, and at a meeting 
of the Board of Regents, held in March, 1854, he was 
unanimously elected Director of the Observatory and Pro- 
fessor of Astronomy in the University of Michigan. The 
official announcement of his appointment, was communica- 
ted to him by President Tappan, and received his accept- 
ance. He arrived at Ann Arbor in July, 1854, and imme- 
diately assumed the duties pertaining to his ofSce. 

The Meridian Circle was received in September follow- 
ing, and was mounted as soon as the stone piers, upon 
which it rests, were prepared for its reception. The great 
refracting telescope being yet unfinished, a temporary one 
was loaned to the Observatory by Mr. Fitz, and was re- 
ceived in April, 1855. This instrument was superseded in 
December following by the one which had been contracted 
for. The mounting of the latter, with the exception of 
the position circles and the appendages belonging to the 
tube, was of cast iron, and the experience ot a few months 
having clearly demonstrated its inferiority, rendering the 
instrument nearly, if not entirely useless, for making very 



72 THE UNIVERSITY 

accurate astronomical observations, a new contract was 
made with Mr. Fitz, by wbicb be agreed to make a new 
instrument, to be mounted wholly in brass and bell-metal. 
'For this, when completed, he was to receive the one al- 
ready in use and the additional amount of six hundred 
dollars, making the total cost of the new instrument six 
thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars. The new con- 
tract was successfully complied with by Mr. Fitz, and the 
equatorial instrument, which was finally accepted, arrived 
at Ann Arbor and was mounted in November, 1857. 

In the meantime, a meeting of the subscribers to the 
Observatory was held at the National Hotel, in the city of 
Detroit, on the evening of the 13th of March, 1856, and 
the following resolution was unanimously adopted : 

^^Besolved, That the subscribers to the 'Detroit Observa- 
tory' hereby express their entire satisfaction with the 
manner in which President Tappan has executed the trust 
reposed in him, in relation thereto, and cordially congratu- 
late the friends of the University, and the citizens of the 
State, on the successful completion of an Observatory in 
which we all may take great pleasure." 

A committee was then appointed to solicit subscriptions 
to liquidate a balance still due on the Observatory, which 
amounted to about eight thousand dollars. This committee 
consisted of President Tappan, and Messrs. F. Buhl, Theo- 
dore H. Eaton, C. I. Walker and C. A. Trowbridge. The 
subscriptions obtained were the following : 

A. Sheley, $500 00 

I. F. Joy, 500 00 

Gen. Cass, 500 00 

I. W. Waterman, 500 00 

S. M. Holmes, 200 00 

Elon Farnsworth, 200 00 

p. Cooper, 200 00 

F.Buhl, ; 125.00 

Theodore H. Baton, 100 00 



AND ITS FUNDS. 73 

A. C. McGraw, $100 00 

Win. A, Butler, 100 00 

Philo Parsons, 100 00 

Walker & Russell, 100 00 

George E. Hand, 100 00 

George B. Russell, 100 00 

Campbell & Linn, 50 00 

W. N. Campbell, 25 00 

Total, $3,500 00 

To complete the outline of the history of the establishment 
of the Observatory, it remains only to add that, at the 
meeting of the Board of Regents held on March 26, 1858, 
Mr. James C. Watson, a graduate of the University, in the 
class of 1857, who had been carefully trained by Dr. Brun- 
now, and had become familiar with the use of the instru- 
ments, was appointed, on his recommendation. Assistant 
Observer. We shall now proceed to describe, as briefly as 
possible, the instruments belonging to the Observatory, 
and, also, to give a summary of the principal contributions 
to astronomical science, which have emanated from it. 

The building is of brick, stuccoed, and consists of a main 
part 32 feet square and 23 feet high, and two wings, one on 
the east and one on the west side, each 20 feet wide, 18 
feet long, and 15 feet high. The east wing contains the 
Meridian Circle Collimators, Astronomical Clock,' a standard 
Barometer, and an external and internal Thermometer. 
The meridian opening extends entirely across the roof and 
down each side to a point below the plane of the horizon. 
It is thirty inches wide, the portions in the sides of the 
building being closed by shutters sliding in grooves in the 
casings, and the portion which extends across the roof 
being closed by two shutters hung on hinges, so that each 
may be raised or lowered by means of a crank and a rope, 
which, passing through a hole in the roof and over a pulley, 
is attached to the upper side. The west wing was fitted 
10 



74 THE UNIVERSITY 

up into apartments for the observer, to contain the books 
and charts belonging to the Observatory. 

The main part of the building is surmounted by a hemi- 
sperical revolving dome, 23 feet in diameter, in which there 
is an opening 18 inches wide, extending from the horizon 
to the zenith, closed by a single curved shutter, which, by 
means of rack-work, may be made to travel to the opposite 
side of the dome. Through the centre of the main building,, 
rises the great central pier which supports the Equatorial 
Telescope. This pier is built of brick, and has its founda- 
tion fifteen feet below the surface. It rises completely de- 
tached from the building to the height of nearly forty feet,. 
and is constructed in the form of a frustum of a cone, 
twenty feet in diameter at the base, and ten feet in diame- 
ter at the top. It is surmounted by a circular cap of lime- 
stone, quarried at Sandusky, Ohio. Upon this capstone 
stands a pier of limestone nine feet in height, weighing 
over four tons, to the top of which the base-plate of the 
equatorial mounting of the great Refracting Telescope is 
secured. 

There are also in the east wing five piers of the same 
stone, and of similar dimensions, two for the Meridian Cir- 
cle, one for each Collimator, and one for the Astronomical 
Clock. 

The large Equatorial, which was constructed by Mr. 
Fitz, has an Achromatic Refracting Telescope of 121 inches 
clear aperture, and 17 feet 8 inches focal length. It has 
seven negative and six positive eye-pieces, the highest 
magnifying power being 1200 times, and the lowest 50 
times. There is also a ring-micrometer, sun-shades, and a 
filar-micrometer of the German construction, which has one 
vertical wire, one movable and three fixed horizontal wires, . 
and also a position circle reading by two verniers to single 
minutes. The Telescope has an achromatic finder 2 J inches 
in clear aperture, and 36 inches in focal length. 

The equatorial mounting is after the plan originally pre- 



AND ITS FUNDS. 75 

pared by the celebrated Fraiinhofer, of Munich. The polar 
axis is five inches in diameter at the larger bearing, two 
and a half inches in diameter at the smaller end, and thirty- 
five inches long. The declination axis is four and a half 
inches in diameter at the larger bearing, and two and a 
half inches at the smaller end. Both axes are made of bell 
metal. The hour circle is made of brass, 18 inches in di- 
ameter, graduated on an inlaid band of silver, to single 
minutes, and reads by means of two verniers to single sec- 
onds of time. The declination circle is also of brass, 20 
inches in diameter, graduated on a band of silver to 10 min- 
utes of arc from to 360 degrees and reads by means of two 
verniers to 10 seconds of arc. To the hour circle is at- 
tached a tangent screw for slow motion in a direction 
parallel to the equator, and to the declination circle a tan- 
gent screw for slow motion in declination. There is also 
clock-work connected with the hour circle, which gives to 
the telescope a slow motion, corresponding exactly to the 
diurnal motion of the heavenly bodies arising from the rota- 
tion of the earth about its axis. 

The Meridian Circle constructed by Messrs. Pistor and 
Martins, of Berlin, is mounted in the east wing. It has an 
Achromatic Telescope eight feet in focal length, and 6S 
inches in clear aperture, situated at the middle of the hori- 
zontal axis, with four positive eye-pieces, magnifying from 
85 to 288 times. The horizontal axis is perforated so that 
the light emanating from a lamp, placed at either extremity, 
and passing to the centre of the tube, is reflected to the 
eye-piece, by a mirror inclined to the axis at an angle of 
45 deg., and thus illuminating the field of view of the Tele- 
scope. The mirror is also perforated at its centre so as not 
to interfere with the rays of light coming from the object- 
glass. There is also a contrivance for illuminating the wires 
and leaving a dark field, which is employed in observing 
very faint objects. The circles are firmly attached by 
screws to each end of the horizontal axis. They are three ■ 



76 THE UNIVERSITY 

feet two inches in diameter, divided on an inlaid band 
of silver to two minutes, and reading by means of four mi- 
croscopes to the nearest tenth of a second. The entire 
mounting of the instrument is of brass, with the exception 
■of the axis, which is of bell metal. 

Directly opposite to the Meridian Circle, and in the 
rplane of the meridian, are mounted two collimators, one 
on the north side and one on the south side, which are em- 
ployed for determining the error of collimation of the tel- 
escope, and the amount of flexure in the tube. Besides 
the collimators, there is an apparatus for observing stars, 
and for finding the nadir point, by reflection from a basin 
of mercury. The east wing contains also the siderial 
•clock, made by Tiede, in Berlin, and the standard barome- 
ter and thermometers. 

In addition to the instruments already enumerated, the 
Observatory possesses a siderial chronometer, made by 
Messrs. Negus, of New York, and a comet-seeker of four 
inches clear aperture and forty-four inches focal length, 
■made by Mr. Pitz, of New York. 

This Observatory has undertaken to observe all the 
double stars south of the equator which are visible in this 
latitude — the only observations of these which have hith- 
erto been made, being those taken by Sir John Herschel, 
at the Cape of Good Hope. In addition to this, the Di- 
rector has engaged that the Observatory shall furnish 
regular observations of the following planets : AstrcBa, 
Flora, Hebe, 3Ietis, Clio, Calliope, Proserfina, Euphrosyne; 
besides observations of all newly-discovered asteroids and 
of comets. 

The principal contributions to Astronomical Science, 
which have emanated from the Observatory, up to the 
present time, (September, 1858,) are the following : 

(1.) Tables of Flora, with reference to the perturbations 
by Jupiter and Saturn, by Professor P. Brunnow. Pub- 
lished by the Royal Academy of Berlin,* quarto, 1856. 



AND ITS FUNDS. 77 

(2.) Tables of Victoria, with the pertubations by Jupi- 
ter and Saturn, by Professor F. Brunnow. Published by 
authority of the Board of Regents of the University of 
Michigan ; quarto, 1858. 

(3.) In the Astronomische NachricJden, published at Al- 
tona, in Denmark : 

General perturbations of Victoria by Jupiter and Sa- 
turn, and Ephemeris for the opposition in 1857, by Profes- 
sor BrunnoAv. 

Ephemeris of Victoria for the opposition in 1858-9, by 
Professor Brunnow. 

Observations of the Fourth Comet of 1857, by James G. 
Watson. 

Elements and Ephemeris of the Fifth Comet of 1858, by 
James C. Watson. 

(4.) In the Astronomical Journal, published at Albany, 
N. Y., the following : 

Observations of Flora, by Professor Brunnow. 

Elements of the First Comet of 1857, by James C. 
Watson. 

Elements of Ariadne, by James C. Watson.. 

Elements and Ephemeris of the Fourth Comet of 1857, 
by James C. Watson. 

Elliptic elements of the Fourth Comet of 1857, by James- 
C. Watson. 

Elements of Victoria, by Professor Brunnow. 

Observations of Victoria, by James C. Watson. 

Elements and Ephemeris of the Sixth Comet of 1857, 
by James C. Watson. 

Observations of Metis and Flora, by Professor Brunnow.. 

Elements of the First Comet of 1858, by James C. Watson. 

Elliptic elements of the First Comet of 1858, by James 
C. Watson. 

Observations of the Comets 1857 IV and 1857 V, Leti- 
tia, Virginia, Hestia, Aglaia, and Calliope, by James C». 
Watson. 



78 THE UNIVERSITY AND ITS FUNDS. 

Elements and Ephemeris of Nemausa, b}'" James C. 
Watson. 

Elements and Ephemeris of Calypso, by James C. Wat- 
son. 

Elements and Ephemeris of the Third Comet of 1858, by 
James C. Watson. 

Observations of Calliope, Thalia, Massalia, Hebe, and the 
Comets 1858 I, 1858 II, and 1858 III, by Prof. Brunnow. 

Observations of the Comets 1858 1, 1858 II, and 1858 III, 
and the Asteroids Europa, Nemausa, and Atalanta, by Jas. 
C. Watson. 

On the orbit of Hestia, by James C. Watson. 

Elements and Ephemeris of the Fifth Comet of 1858, by 
James C. Watson. 

Such is the Detroit Observatory of the University of 
Michigan; an institution of which the State may well be 
proud, since, although it is less than two yfears since it com- 
menced active operations, it has already taken a positioM 
which ranks among the first in the world. 



THE STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE 



The State of Michigan has a greater extent of coast upon 
navigable waters, and more harbors, than any other State 
in the Union. But that very fact prevents her from 
•engaging extensively in commerce, except so far as it is 
created and sustained by her own enterprise. Being 
almost surrounded by water, the commerce of the lakes 
•created by other States, has little occasion to pass through 
her ports. 

But what is thus lost is more than gained, in point of 
■State wealth, by the facilities afforded for her domestic 
trade, and the aid thus given in the development of her 
internal resources, naturally great, and already sufficiently 
improved to give an extensive trade upon her railroads, 
and a very large domestic commerce to her port towns — 
numbering ten or twelve places of considerable import- 
ance, and as many more whose business is increasing, as 
the country tributary to them becomes improved. Her 
vast quantities of lumber, and minerals, and her agricul- 
tural products, form an important item in the commerce 
of other States. Yet Michigan cannot be called a com- 
mercial State. 

The growing importance of her mines — her iron ore, 
equal in excellence to any in the world — is destined yet 
to make her mineral resources as world-wide as they are 
inexhaustible. Yet, her mines, with all their anticipated 
importance and unlimited wealth, are mainly in one locality, 
and can never be the most important feature of State 



80 AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. 

prosperity. She can never be known distinctively as a 
mining State. 

It can hardly be foretold what Michigan will yet become 
in her manufactures. Her vastf mineral resources — her 
water-power, which is considerable — her vast forests for 
wood, and her extensive beds of coal, which wait only the 
demand, to supply whatever amount is required — her 
economical production of most of the wants of life, and her 
easy communication with other States in every direction, 
would seem to point her out as destined at some day to 
become engaged in manufactures to a very great amount. 
But as yet, with the exception of lumber, she manufactures 
but little except for her own consumption. She is, there- 
fore, not yet at least, a manufacturing State. 

Her access from every part to navigable waters, the 
variety and richness of her soil, her railroads, which have 
been and are building, to a great extent, in advance of 
settlement, unitedly invite the Agriculturist to make 
Michigan his home. For the cereal grains, and all the 
coarser productions of the soil, the State is doubtless equal 
to any other ; while for fruit, from the peach to the most 
hardy fruit of the northern climes, it is in some respects 
superior to all. While in northern Michigan the excel- 
lence of the common potatoe is unrivalled, in southern 
Michigan the sweet potatoe can be raised with ample 
success. Extending from a latitude of 41 degrees and 43 
minutes northward about six and a half degrees, it gives a 
variety of climate from that in which the grape is success- 
fully cultivated, with an average season of sleighing not 
exceeding four weeks per annum, to the invigorating 
atmosphere of Lake Superior. 

Therefore, notwithstanding her unlimited mineral re- 
sources, her vast lumber interests, her important fisheries, 
ber inducements to manufactures, and her unparalleled 
commercial facilities, Michigan is, and probably will be for 
years to come, an Agricultural State. 



AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. 81 

Nor is she so, because men are driven from other occu- 
pations, and compelled reluctantly to apply to an equally- 
reluctant soil for subsistence. It might almost be said of 
many, that they make Agriculture a passion ! Consequently 
we see in nearly every organized county an Agricultural 
Society — and in some counties two — where the farmers ex- 
hibit and compare their productions, enlighten and stimu- 
late each other, creating a public sentiment which makes 
labor honorable, and diffusing knowledge which makes it 
more profitable. The State Agricultural Society, also, 
which receives from the State two thousand dollars per 
annum toward its support, continues its operations from 
year to year, with unabated interest, and publishes annu- 
ally, a large volume of its proceedings, for public benefit. 

There are classes of men of certain occupations, who 
delight to exhibit their ability and skill, but show no dis- 
position to aid others in arriving at a like standard of ex- 
cellence. It is a selfish spirit of competition, that desires 
a monopoly of whatever advantage may be gained, regard- 
less of the welfare of others, or of the general good. 
There are large classes of men who should be natural 
allies, who treat each other like natural enemies. Thrown 
together by an afiinitj of pursuits, and really benefitting 
by each others' prosperity, if careful in any respect, it i^ 
not to " play into each others' hands ;" and they rather pre- 
fer to see men of other professions prosper and receivo 
promotion to oflice and influence. There are large num- 
bers in our land, who as a class (of course, with many in- 
dividual exceptions,) are pursuing this suicidal policy 
and destroying their own success and influence among 
men — living as though they suppose they will rise, just in 
proportion as they can pull their fellows down. 

Whether men have noticed it or not, such is a sad fact 
in the social world. Men are often willing to ignore their 
own good, if they can prevent others fi'om obtaining an 
11 



82 AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. 

equal degree of prosperity with themselves ; and it is here 
alluded to, not to preach them a lecture upon their folly,, 
or their wrong, but as showing the contrast between them 
and the agricultural class. They, as a class, are actuated 
by no such short-sighted evil policy. With them, what 
one knows, all may know. They rally without jealousy, to 
each others' aid, socially and politically. Legislative 
bodies invariably show from five to ten times as many 
members from among the farmers, in proportion to num- 
bers, as from another class which might be named, who 
have equal, yes, superior advantages for qualifying them- 
selves for stations of honor and influence. 

The only enemies of this class are themselves ; but the 
farmer has no enemies, and no rivals, in the obnoxious 
sense of the term. All men, of all classes, wish him suc- 
cess ; and all are benefitted in his prosperity. 

Commerce produces no wealth to the country ; it only 
exhibits the prosperity created by the artisan and farmer» 
Like the piles of gold in the banker's window, it shows the 
riches, and aids in exchanging the products of labor ; but 
it does not produce them. Commerce is like the farmer's 
wagon, upon which he carries his productions to markets 
So far from its creating the products, the expense of its 
own dead weight must be subtracted from their avails. 
It is a convenience, a necessity ; and the means of making 
wealth more available ; but it never doubles a grain of 
wheat. On the other hand, its use is attended with a con- 
stant waste. True, it may make a bushel of wheat, worth 
but one dollar in Michigan, worth two dollars in a distant 
market ; but it has created no gains ; the apparent gain is 
a loss to somebody else. 

The real source of wealth is in a power which creates, or 
produces — which fills the pocket of one man without empty- 
ing that of another. Such production is real gain to the 
world, while the wealth acquired by Commerce is, to a 
great extent, at the expense of some other interest. The 



AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. 83 

Dian who raises a bushel of wheat, creates it, under 
Providence, out of the earth ; but the man who transports 
it to market, adds nothing to its intrinsic value ; it will 
feed no greater number of persons in New England than, 
in Michigan ; and what he indvidually gains in the trans- 
action, comes out of the pocket of the consumer or pro- 
ducer, or is shared between them. 

Such being the case, it has ever been considered that 
the agriculturist is more emphatically a producer of 
wealth than any other class. But while the importance of 
his class, both from this fact and from its numbers, has 
always been admitted, it is surprising how slow is the 
progress that has been made. Not that the progress in 
agriculture has not in some respects been great. As far 
as improvement in the implements of his labor is coir- 
cerned, the change since the remembrance of some who 
still " hold the plow," is astonishing. From the old sickle, 
with which he cut his fingers when a boy, he has seen the 
change to the giant reaper, that can do a giant's work* 
He has seen the water-pail, from which handful by hand- 
ful he spread his seed broadcast upon the ground, ex- 
changed for the seed-drill, which, by horse power, leaves 
every seed in its proper place. So with the plow, and 
other implements. But it cannot fail to be observed that 
all these improvements are mainly physical, or mechanical. 
The great study of cause and effect, with reference to 
vegetable growth, as well as the acquisition of general 
knowledge, has been strangely disregarded. 

A man may learn from their effects alone, that certain 
medicines are good for certain diseases ; and he may thus 
apply remedies, often with benefit and success ; yet know- 
ing nothing of the human system, the nature of disease, or 
the nature of the remedy. Too much in this manner has 
the agricultural world, in all the past, pursued its way. 

But it has occurred to some minds that the farmer- 
whose sphere is in Nature's laboratory, should know some, 



84 AGEICULTURAL COLLEGE. 

thing of Nature ; in the constitution of the soil she gives 
him ; something of the nature of the remedies he applies 
for its renovation, and from a knowledge of both, be able 
to decide without the slow, expensive, uncertain process 
of repeated experiments alone, to what productions his 
soil is, or may be made adapted, how most certainly to 
apply the remedy, and how to secure the greatest result 
with the least labor. 

The quack may give his patient (and patient must he be 
who suffers it) twenty " remedies" by way of experiment. 
It is the best he can do ; he may succeed, or he may " kill 
on the first fire ;" when the scientific practitioner might 
perceive the true nature of the disease, and from hi« 
knowdedge of the nature of medicine, be able to give thai 
which wall on the first trial effect a cure. The same prinS 
ciples will apply to the agriculturist, with a similar dif- 
ference in his success. 

To acquire this knowledge, schools are as necessary for 
the farmer as for the physician. And it is indeed a wonder 
in our land, that schools for systematic instruction of the 
Agricultural Class were not instituted generations since! 
In organizing new States, liberal grants of land have been 
made for a great variety of purposes ; for schools of Latin 
and Greek, and Law, and Medicine, as well as the Primary 
School for all ; but knowledge for the farmer, as such, has 
been ignored, and the wants of the most numerous class in 
society forgotten. By a strange infatuation, the world has 
seemed to think that "any fool could be a farmer," and 
therefore, it was no matter if all the farmers, as such, were 
fools ! 

But yet the world moves! Men are beginning to grasp 
a new idea, in the appreciation of which, the citizens of 
Michigan stand foremost. Late as we have been, in the 
movement, we may well be proud of the fact, that first in 
the Union has been the inauguration of the Michigan 
Agricultural College! 



AGTliCuITURAL COLLEGE. 85 

The incipient steps for the establishment of aa Agricul- 
tural School in Michigan, were taken over eight years 
since, by a provision of our present State Constitution, 
w-hich required the Legislature, as soon as practicable, to 
establish such an institution. The question of practica- 
bility was one upon which opinions probably differed ; but 
nothing was done till 1855,* when the Legislature decided 
to establish the School ; the same to be located within, ten 
miles of the State Capital. Twenty-two sections of Salt 
Spring lands were appropriated, to meet the expense of 
putting the School in operation. 

The law was approved February 12th, by Governor 
Bingham — who from the lirst has been a warm and efficient 
friend of the enterprise — and in June, the Executive Com- 
mittee of the State Agricultural Society — the agents de- 
signated by the law for that purpose — selected and recom- 
mended the purchase of a farm of six hundred and twenty- 
three and fifty-six one-hundredths acres, situated upon 
each side of Cedar river, three and one-half miles due east 
from the capital ; and in pursuance of the law, the State 
Board of Education approved of the selection, and con- 
cluded the purchase of tlie same, for $9,353 55 — or fifteen 
dollars per acre. This was considered by all acquainted 
with the circumstances, to be a reasonable price. It was 
thought very desirable to procure, in addition to the above, 
an adjoining tract of fifty-three and one one-hundredth 
acres, upon which some improvements had been made ; 
but which the Board could not buy — fifteen dollars per 
acre being as high as they were allowed to pay, by the act 
authorizing the purchase. This was, however, procured, 
and 81,059 92 paid therefor, agreeable to a Joint Resolu- 
tion of the Legislature; making the whole amount six 
hundred and seventy-six and fifty-seven one-hundredths 
acres, and a total expense of $10,413 47. 

* A bjU egtabUsbiDg an AgricuHuMl College in 1853, passed the Senate by aV^ote of 17 to 
M, a-nd wae ioet in the Honse by a vote of •'J6 *.o 24 



M AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. 

In 1856, a large boarding-house, and the west wing of 
the College buildings, one hundred by fifty feet, and four 
stories high, including a high basement, were erected, and 
nearly ready for use when the Legislature convened in 
January, 1857. The sum of $34,181 50 was expended in 



The aggregate minimum price of the twenty-two sec- 
laona of Salt Spring lands was $56,320 ; and the Legisla- 
ture ot 1857 further appropriated $40,000 from the treas- 
ury, to meet the wants of the institution, in completing 
iihe necessary improvements, furnishing apparatus, &c., 
and sustaining the current expenses of the School in ope- 
A-ation for the years 1857 and 1858. 

The farm was new, and a heavy expense was required 
■to bring a portion of it under immediate cultivation. 
Barns, &c., were to be built, with dwellings for the ofiicers : 
.(for until this was done, they must reside at Lansing,) and 
about the time the School was to be opened, provisions, 
and almost everything required in commencing farm ope- 
rations, rose to unprecedented high prices. The contract- 
ors who erected the College buildings had performed some 
of their work insufficiently, and $1,546 13 had been de- 
ducted from their pay, in a settlement with the Board of 
Education ; but the cost of repairing their deficiences was 
found to be much more than was anticipated, involving 
additional expense. 

The Board of Education elected Hon. Joseph R. Will- 
iams, President, and J. G. Holmes, Esq., Calvin Tracy, Esq., 
J^ohert D. Weeks, Esq., and Rev. L. R. Fish, Professors of 
the Institution ; which was opened by appropriate exer- 
cises, with sixty-one students, on the 13th of May, 1857. 

The second term commenced in December of the same 
year, with one hundred students. 

The third term commenced in April, 1858, with no in- 
>CTease of numbers, for the reason that the buildings were 
^©ady crowded to. their utmost capacity. Had the 



AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. 87 

accommodations been sufficient for all who made applica- 
tion for admission, the number of students at the third 
term would have been not less than two hundred. 

The amount paid upon previous contracts, expended in 
improvements, and for the support of the school, in 1857, 
and till April, 1858, was $52,931 66. 

Thus the institution was put in operation, a large College 
building, four Professors' houses, a boarding house, a brick 
barn and out-houses, were erected ; one of the best labora- 
tories in the country purchased ; nearly 200 acres of land 
cleared and brought under cultivation ; an orchard planted, 
and the farm stocked with horses and cattle j and the 
school conducted one year, at an expense, including the 
cost of the magnificent farm, of $97,526 63. This is less, 
exclusive of the farm, than was the expense of putting the 
State University in operation, and sustaining it one year, 
with ten students. The University now boasts of its four 
hundred and fifty students, and holds an enviable rank 
among the highest Schools in the land. Yet its commence- 
ment was far more unpromising, and its pecuniary embar- 
rassments were vastly greater, than have been those of 
the Agricultural College. 

The actual wants of the Agricultural College required 
at least ten thousand dollars more than has been provided, 
to carry it to the spring of 1859 without embarrassment, 
and anxiety on the part of its officers. But in this, it has 
only encountered the same misfortune that has attended 
the early days of every State institution. 

Sunlight and rain are the free gifts of God. Money 
cannot buy them, nor the want of it deprive us of their 
blessings. But Providence does not furnish the farmer 
with his plow growing by his gateway, or the blacksmith 
with his forge ready built. Neither does Providence build 
us Churches, Asylums, or School houses. But a munificent 
Creator has given us the means by which with our own 



88 AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. 

hands to procure these and other social blessings, and left 
lis to a great extent, to have them or not, according to our 
appreciation of their benefits. The rich fruits are placed 
within our power to obtain, and we may reach forth our 
hand and feast upon their luxuriance, or we may starve on 
in moral and intellectual poverty as whole ages and races 
have done before us. 

The liberal hand with which the citizens of Michigan 
have dispensed the means for public improvements, publi© 
charities and Schools, is proof beyond dispute that in thes« 
things the question with them is not, " will they cosft 
money ?" but only this : " will they be worth the money 
expended ?" This is a legitimate caution, which they will 
consider as well in reference to the Agricultural College 
as any other enterprise. 

That the establishment of this institution was called for 
by public sentiment, as it was imperatively demanded by 
the Constitution, there can be no doubt. The year 1855 
found the State Treasury in an apparently well replenished 
condition. True, a large portion of the funds were bor- 
rowed money, upon which the State was paying six and 
seven per cent., while they were earning the State but 
one per cent, per annum. But it was not optional with 
the State to borrow the money or not ; it had long before 
agreed to loan all the trust funds as they accumulated ; 
and for some years previous tq 1855, they had increased 
rapidly, from the general prosperity of the country and 
consequent extensive sales of land. These funds were 
still flowing into the treasury, and but comparatively a small 
portion would be soon required to meet the State indebt- 
edness, most of which was not for several years due. 

The question then very naturally arose with the Legis- 
lature of 1855 — shall these hundreds of thousands still re- 
main in the treasury, earning but one per cent., while the 
State is paying six and seven per cent, for them — or shall 



AGBICULTURAL COLLEGE. 89* 

a liberal portion be used in building up those important 
State institutions demanded by our Christianity, by phi- 
lanthropy, by public sentiment, and by the Constitution ? 
It was decided with great unanimity that a portion should 
be thus used ; and that what remained in the treasury 
should be made to earn five per cent, per annum. The bill 
passed the Senate by a vote of twenty-four to five, and the 
House by a vote o^ forty-four io fourteen. The amount of 
the five per cent, earned by the money in the treasury,, 
after the withdrawal of all that was used in carrying on 
iSie public institutions, and for the expenses of the govern- 
ment, in 1855, '56 and '57, was $61,484 98— or $51,237 49- 
more than the same amount would have earned at one per 
cent., as by the previous law. The difference^ alone, is more 
than will have been drawn from the treasury (exclusive of 
the avails of salt spring lands) to place the Agricultural 
College free from all debts at the commencement of its 
third school year in 1859. This may be considered a suf- 
ficient comment upon the financial policy of the Legislature 
which inaugurated the institution. As to the economy 
that has been practiced in putting the School in operation, 
it is believed that, considering the difficulties to be over- 
come, the Board of Education have acquitted themselves 
well, and to the satisfaction of a candid public. 

All was new — the character of the School itself, not less- 
so, than the lands upon which it was to be located. It was, 
in 1855, in most of its features, an experiment. It is, in 
1858, no longer so. It had then no precedents upon which 
to rely. It has now furnished successful precedents which 
several other States are already taking measures to follow. 
Experiment has changed to demonstration. Never was- 
the figure of the wilderness blossoming like the rose, more 
literally manifested. Where in 1855, was the wild forest 
farm, are now the smiling fields, elegant College buildings,, 
and one hundred students, who, as a body, are proud of the- 
institution, and indignant at any attempts to decry its bene- 
12 



90 AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. 

fits, or injure its reputation. With three hours per day of 
field labor, it is the testimony of the officers, who have had 
experience in other institutions, that the students come to 
their recitations with clearer minds, and as great advance- 
ment as in other Schools. 

Discipline is said also to be easier than in Colleges gen- 
erally. The relaxation from study, which so often leads to 
irregularity and mischief, here takes another direction, and 
the physical demands for action, like the steam in the boiler, 
which must be discharged to prevent danger, is here ex- 
pended in useful labor. But there are other causes also, 
which contribute to the good deportment of the students. 
Colleges are usually in cities or large towns, where every 
temptation is at hand, soliciting the student to Jsensual in- 
dulgence and mischief. The Agricultural College is in the 
country, three and a half miles from any settlement, except 
here and there the farm house of a respectable citizen, en- 
tirely away from town temptations, and where the practice 
of many of the vices of youth in towns is next to impossible. 

There is also a difference in the character of the students 
themselves. The largest portion are from the country — 
from the seclusion of the farmer's home — and have not so 
much acquired town habits, or been so much subject to 
town temptations, and consequently are less inclined to 
town vices. 

The Agricultural College, like the State University, is 
under the control of no religious denomination or sectarian 
influence. Yet like that, it is designed to be in the hands 
of men who recognize the claims of a common Christianity, 
and will recommend its principles with true catholicity, 
by precept' and by example. No College, therefore, is a 
safer place for a parent to send his son, with reference to 
moral influence upon his character. 

The Agricultural College of Michigan is now in success- 
ful operation. The only questions are : Shall it be sus- 
ttained? and how? 



AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, 91 

To the question — shall it be sustained? — it is believed 
that the people of Michigan will give but one answer. 
When a State suffers its Schools to expire, (unless super- 
ceded by others,) it gives fearful tokens of decay, and a 
relapse toward, if not actually to, public ignorance and 
barbarism. Blot out the State University, the Normal 
School, and the Agricultural College, and the same public 
sentiment that will thus assassinate the genius of mind, 
will lift no hand to save local Seminaries and Primary 
Schools from a similar fate. Well may we look with honest 
pride at the State University, and rejoice in the great 
work it is doing ; but the genius of its system is not spe- 
cially adapted to the wants of the farmer. Its main de- 
sign is in other directions. The Agricultural College, 
while it designs to discipline the mind of the student, and 
impart generally, the most useful practical knowledge of 
men and things, makes his instruction in those branches of 
science most useful to him as a Tiller of the Soil, a primary 
object. That the College shall be sustained, therefore, is 
believed to be a proposition that requires little argumenta- 
tion with an intelligent people. 

This question, however, in view of the other, may ad- 
mit of a division, which is debatable. Shall the College 
be sustained only with its present capacity — or shall it be 
made commensurate with the wants and wishes of the 
class for whom it is instituted ? 

It has now one hundred students ; and this is the utmost 
limit of its capacity. At the commencement of the last 
term, about one hundred and fifty applicants were rejected 
or discouraged from appearing at examination, for no other 
reason than because there was no room to receive them. 
As many will probably be refused admittance in April next, 
unless the applications shall be withheld, from a knowl- 
edge that the institution is full. To meet the full demand, 
requires that further additions to the College build- 
ings should be immediately erected, and the boarding ac- 



92 AGBICULTURAL COLLEGE. 

commodations increased three-fold, with additional barns, 
and other incidental expenses. Fifty thousand dollars 
would probably no more than make such additional im- 
provements as might be fully occupied as soon as comple- 
ted. (Such increased accommodations as would admit of 
two hundred students, might probably be secured for 
twelve to fifteen thousand dollars.) Thus this question in- 
volves the other: How shall the College be sustained? 

The Agricultural College has no endowment. Until it 
has, its current expenses must be a charge upon the treas- 
ury, if tuition is to remain free. The State has no more 
unappropriated lands from which to create an endowment 
fund, as has been done for the University and Normal 
School ; and their funds, even, are not sufficient for their 
wants. The Educational funds from Congressional grant© 
are all pledged to their appropriate ends. The seventy- 
two sections of Salt Spring lands have been appropriated — 
twenty-two sections to the Agricultural College, twenty- 
five to the Normal School, and twenty-five to the Asylums 
for the Deaf and Blind, and the Insane. The avails of the 
Internal Improvement lands have been expended in vari- 
ous ways, and are a matter of history. The will of the 
people appears decisive that such portion of the avails of 
the Swamp Lands as are not required for reclaiming the 
lands, shall be added to the Primary School Fund ; as thus 
imparting the greatest good to the greatest number. The 
State has no more lands from which to create an endow- 
ment for this, or any other institution. 

As members of a great confederacy we have an interest 
in many hundred millions of acres of land, several millions 
of which lie within our own borders, but of which the 
State has no exclusive ownership, or power even of taxa- 
tion. In all these untold millions we have only an equal 
ownership, according to population, with Vermont or 
Creorgia. Congress has for years been well granting an 



AGRICULTURAL C0LLE(;E. 93 

immense amouut of these lands to aid in internal improve- 
ments. But this has not been done exactly as a gift, or as 
distributing to " the people" thnt which is their ov/n ; but 
rather with the expectation that the remaining lands would 
be thereby increased in value equal to, or exceeding the 
whole. 

But what real difference would it make, whether the 
grant of land to build a railway increases the value of the re- 
maining lands, or adds an equal amouut to the wealth of the 
country in some other way? And may we not justly claim 
that the wealth of the country is increased by the educa- 
tion of the people? Especially will this be true in ref- 
erence to Agricultural Schools, As is Michigan, so is our 
nation essentially an Agricultural Nation. As a Nation, we 
buy more manufactured productions than we sell, and sell 
more of the earth's productions than we buy. The farmers 
cannot be educated — and especially if educated in ref- 
erence to their profession — without adding materially to na- 
tional wealth and power. Therefore, if the public lands are 
to be regarded only in the sordid view of dollars and cents, 
a portion can be appropriated in no wiser direction thau 
for the education of that class whose numbers, physical 
strength and general political integrity, have given them 
the cognomen of " the bone and sinew of the land." 

But a grant of lands for Agricultural Schools may be 
claimed upon still other and higher grounds. In addition 
to the proposition that it will add directly to the national 
wealth and power, we may urge the value of Education 
itself; in the comfort and happiness it brings to individ- 
uals ; in making them better citizens ; and the new guar- 
anties it creates of the perpetuity as well as the prosperity 
of our boasted institutions. Like the former proposition, 
this would seem to need no argument. It is not proposed 
to argue either of them here. These remarks are designed 
rather as suggestions of facts, the truth of which must be 
apparent to every intelligent mind. The man w^ho would 



94 AGEICULTURAL COLLEGE. 

require argument to convince him of their truth, must be 
one who has never heard the maxim, "Knowledge is 
power !" 

But we have yet another claim to urge for a grant of 
land to Agricultural Colleges. The benefits derived from 
grants of lands to railways are to a great extent local — 
being made only for sections where the lands are situated 
■ — while a grant for the education of the farmers in all 
parts of the country, will be general and equal. As has 
been said, these lands belong not to the States or Terri- 
tories in which they lie, nor do they belong to Congress. 
They are the property of the people — as much of the 
people of Massachusetts and Georgia as of Michigan or 
Kansas. A great portion of the people are agricultur- 
ists ; and those who are not, are equally benefited by their 
prosperity, and equally ready to see Schools endowed for 
their education. None would rejoice more sincerely in 
their prosperity than the manufacturers of New England, 
the miners of Pennsylvania, or professional men every- 
where. In establishing the Agricultural College of Mich- 
igan — as was well shown in an article from the pen of a 
member of the present Legislature from Ionia county, 
published some months since — all other classes were even 
more interested than the farmers themselves. This proves 
what has been before stated, that the farmer has no 
enemies. 

The public lands, then, belong entirely to the farmers and 
their friends. And shall not Congress, which is only their 
agent, or trustee, give to the people a portion of that 
which is their own — which will make them wiser and hap- 
pier — which will teach them how to lighten the fatigue of 
labor, while it makes them more valuable citizens, increases 
the aggregate wealth of the nation, and fornis new guar- 
anties of its perpetuity and future greatness? If refused, 
it will be in defiance of public sentiment, and a great want 
of the age ; and give evidence that the rulers we have 



AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. . 95 

placed in power have a higher appreciation of internal 
improvements than they have of the intelligence and pros- 
perity of the people. In other words, that they think 
more of the value of railways than of men! 

We ask it not for Michigan alone ; though were there to 
be an exclusive privilege, we might cite the fact, that she 
has been the pioneer in the inauguration of an Agricultu- 
ral College, and risked the liabilities incident to every new 
enterprise ; but we ask it upon the above considerations, 
for every State in the Union. We ask it as their right, as 
States and as individuals, as a means of social happiness 
and general improvement; and as the highest benefit that 
can be derived from a portion of the public lands, in se- 
curing the greatest good of the greatest number, and the 
wisest means of making our great community of States a 
rich, happy, intelligent, and powerful people among the 
nations of the earth. 



HOUSE OF CORRECTION FOR JUVENILE 
OFFENDERS. 



Had this institntion been denominated, by the Act es- 
tablishing it, the State Reform ScJiool, it would have been 
a more appropriate name, and more expressive of its true 
design. That design, with reference to those under its in- 
fluence, is scarcely different, in its moral and intellectual 
character, from what the Primary School should be, in re- 
lation to its pupils. The aim of each should be to educate 
both the intellect and the heart. Moral discipline ought 
everywhere to be united with intellectual culture. While 
the latter, in the "Primary School, is more apparent in the 
machinery, so to speak, by which it is 'effected, it will still 
fail of its highest end, unless moral instruction is constantly 
blended with it. The moral influences may not come with 
as much observation, but they are no less important. Im- 
prove the intellect of a morally bad person, without any 
cultivation of the moral qualities, and while he may be 
able more successfully to evade the penalties of law, he iSj 
in some respects, only a more dangerous man in society 
than before. 

Hence, we see what a Primary School should be ; and 
this it is designed the House of Correction shall he. In 
one respect, however, it goes further than is to be expected 
of the Primary School. The latter makes intellectual cul- 
ture its more apparent object ; but should consider the 
training of the moral nature equally important. The for- 
mer places the two considerations on a more equal basis 
than is done in Primary Schools, as a matter of fact, both 
13 



98 HOUSE OF COERECTION 

in real importance, and in prominence. But to these fea- 
tures is added another. It is also an Industrial School. 
Morality, Intelligence, and Industry. Truly, this is a wor- 
thy trinity of considerations to impress upon the youthful 
mind anywhere! If the boy who has fallen into crime 
needs these teachings, to reform him, the child in the Pri- 
mary School, who has not yet fallen, needs the same to foi?- 
tif}^ him against temptation, and insure his safety. 

If any one supposes that the House of Correction is 
Bome modern Bastile, where unfortunate or guilty boys are 
immured behind bolts and bars, like a criminal in his dun- 
geon, with nothing to do but to mourn over his loss of lib- 
erty, and his far greater loss of the sympathies of his race, 
and to plot revenge upon society when he shall escape — a 
more hardened and desperate character than before — ho 
hasi something to unlearn before he can understand what 
the institution is ; what its aims, or its operations. It is 
probable that many persons form their opinion of a State 
Penitentiary, not a little from their ideas of some unfortu- 
nate captive, entombed alive by a cruel tyrant ; and then 
imagine that a House of Correction for juvenile offenders 
must be similar to their imaginary penitentiary. It wiU 
be the design of these remarks to correct such impressions, 
by a brief review of the establishment of the Michigan 
House of Correction, and its practical workings in the 
education and reclaiming of those who come under ite 
influence. 

The main object which is, or should be designed, in the 
punishment of adult violators of law, is a question upon 
which men differ. Some hold that the great object of 
punishment is the reformation of the offender ; that a Stat® 
Prison is scarce else than a moral Asylum, where the 
morally insane may be taken to be treated for the obliqui- 
ties of their hearts, as the intellectually insane are sent to 
their appropriate Asylum. Others contend that, while 



FOR JUVENILE OFFENDERS. 99 

everything should be done that can he, to rechiim the 
heart, as well as to reform the manners and conduct of the 
culprit, the greatest design of punishment is the protec- 
tion of society ; not only by restraining, and if possible, 
reforming the man, but by making him an example of terror 
to evil doers, with whom moral considerations are not suffi- 
cient to restrain from crime. 

Whether the world will ever agree upon this subject, is 
perhaps doubtful — unless they meet upon the more rational 
intermediate ground, that both objects are of equal im- 
portance. But in reference to those who, from their youth, 
are sent to the House of Correction, all will probably 
agree that their reformation should be the great object. 
Hence, the necessity of the institution ; for all agree that, 
to send them to the penitentiary, is but to hasten and per- 
fect their ruin. 

As a School, the House of Correction is designed to do 
all that the Primary School can do, and more. As a Prison, 
it is divested, to a very great extent, of those obnoxious 
features, and degrading associations and influences that 
attach to the penitentiary, and seeks hopefully to accom- 
plish results, which the penitentiary either regards as of 
secondary importance, or in which it most signally fails of 
its end. As to the bare fact of personal restraint, the 
House of Correction has the character of a prison ; and in 
this it is only like the Asylum for the Insane. But farther 
than this, it more resembles an industrial school for boys. 
The appearances of restraint are, as far as possible, avoided. 
They wear no stripes, or other sign of disgrace, to remind 
them of their fall, and make them despise themselves ; 
their honor, and their better, higher nature — not rendered 
obtuse, like the matured man of crime— are happily ap- 
pealed to, and all their associations and surroundings are 
designed as much as possible, to cultivate their self-re- 
spect, and stimulate them to high and noble thoughts and 
aspirations. 



100 HOUSE OF CORKECTION 

The law of hereditary descent is no less certain in its 
effects upon the moral tha-n upon the physical nature. 
Diseased parents semetiuies give birth to qomparatively 
healthy offspring, but such cases are regarded as excep- 
tions to the general rule : and it is more than probable 
that if we fully understood the subject, we should find no 
exceptions. All our race is to a greater or less degree 
morally diseased. This disease is comprehended in the 
simple term self: and it descends from father to child. 
So well aware is the world of this, that every prudent, 
thoughtful parent begins in the earliest years of his child 
to apply the remedies for counteracting the natural evil 
tendencies of his nature, and educate him into the love and 
practice of virtue, and the avoidance of vice. His first 
object is to invest his exposed moral nature with armor, 
both defensive and offensive; so that he may be able to stand 
unharmed and uncorrupted in the battle of life. Unfor- 
tunately, many fail in their design ; some from undervaluing 
its importance, and others from a mistake in the means 
which they employ ; and others, perhaps, from unfortunate 
counteracting infiuences, which they cannot control. And 
not a few parents are themselves so far lost to any just 
appreciation of the superiority of right over wrong, that 
the teachings of their own lives are continual practical 
lessons of vice to their children ; and they are daily oifer- 
ing them a living sacrifice upon the altar of self-indulgence 
and vice. 

But there are thousands of the young, whose parents are 
removed by death before they have formed a self-reliant 
character, and learned to resist the enticements of others , 
or of their own wayward nature. Some of these find pro- 
tectors who supply their loss, and train them to respect- 
ability and usefulness. But many others wander forth, as 
it were, from the very graves of their parents, one or both, 
unprotected, to become an easy prey to bad examples, and 
every temptation. 



fOB jrorivn.E 0FF«y»BBS. 101 

Under all the^e circtim3tance»,i« it strange that sornany 
fall victims to evil paasiona, and become involved in crime ? 
Who has ever carefnlly and kindlv tatight them fnllr to 
comprehend the enormity of vice, and the moral beauty of 
parity of heart and life ? If they were ever told that the 
wag'e^ of vice h disgrace and woe, the «erpent of tempta- 
tion whispered, ** it is not so : graiificoivM is happine^ !" 
and as do many who claim to have come to years of discre- 
tion, they believed the declaratiori mo^f: in accordance with 
their inclinations, and were lost. 

In contemplating the sitnation and future prospect of 
this larf^e class of the young, the humane and Christian 
heart regards their depredations upon society of trifling 
importance compared with the morale and often physical 
ruin, they are developing for themselves and their aaso- 
ciates. They differ from the adult criminal, both in the 
fact that their moral responsibility Is less, and there is a 
hundred fold more hope, with proper means, of reforming 
and restoring them to virtue and a useful life. If they 
have fallen into serious crime, doubtless they should be 
restrained ; but to punUh them as we do the adult offender, 
and imprison them together, has been found the moat 
certain method of making their absolute ruin more certain, 
and fitting them for a life continuance in the school of vice 
to which we send them. 

With the light which the world new has upon this sub- 
ject, these simple facts need on/y to ]>e suggested to 
obtain the assent of every candid mind. And the State 
which now fails to provide the- best means yet discovered 
for the protection and reclamation of it* youth, is as felse to 
itself, and its aims, as a social compact, as it is to the 
claims of humanity in ifs most tender aspects, or to the 
Christianity which as a people we profess. 

Probably the same minds which first conceived the idea 
of Asylums for the Insane, and other unfortunates, com- 
prehended the thought of the practicability of saving this 



102 HOUSE OP CORRECTION 

equally unfortunate class, by some similar institution. It 
now seems strange that in this State a Reform School for 
juvenile offenders was not established at as early a day, or 
at least nearly so, as was the State Prison ; and the neglect 
can only be accounted for in the supposition that our early 
rulers in the State thought more of punishing crime than 
of preventing it, and more of preventing it by the terrors 
of the law than by educating its young to virtue ; that they 
regarded the reformation of any class hopeless ; or if they 
deemed reform possible, they designed for the first fifteen 
years to try the experiment upon the most hopeless sub- 
jects. 

For fifteen years after the organization of the State gov- 
ernment of Michigan, the State Prison was considered the 
proper place for all offenders against the law, of all ages, 
from the stripling of eleven years, to the man of gray 
hairs. For fifteen years, the attention' of the public or the 
Legislature was never called to the subject by any report 
from the officers of the State Prison, or any Governor's 
message. 

The State Prison Inspectors in their report for 1851, 
speak as follows : 

" There are among the convicts five or six^boys, one of 
whom is only eleven years of age; and the records of the 
institution show that others have been brought into it at 
that tender age. Tlie propriety of this is indeed ques- 
tionable. What can be expected of a child whose nursery 
has been the State Prison? If he be naturally wayward, 
the contamination with the hardened villains with whom 
he is associated is fatal. He ia sent out of Prison^with the 
brand of disgrace upon him, and suspicion lurking contin- 
ually at his heels. The probability is, that he has no friends, 
and being shunned by all good influences, he necessarily 
leads a life of crime. For such youthful offenders there 
should certainly be some milder, or at least less disgraceful 



FOR JUVENILE OFFENDERS. 103 

and withering punishment provided. The subject is com- 
mended to the consideration of the Legislature." 

This is believed to be the first ofScial notice taken of the 
subject in this State. By sad observation, the Inspectors 
of the State Prison were made sensible of the importance 
of the subject, as above expressed ; and in their next 
report, the same language is repeated to the Legislature 
of 1853. Governor McClelland, in his message to the same 
body, says : 

" Many boys of a tender age have been sent to Prison, 
It is no fit place for them. A milder and less infamous 
punishment should be provided. A House of Correction, 
conducted as some of them are in older States, would be 
more suitable, and its moral influences more salutary." 

The attention of the Legislature of 1853 being thus 
officially called to the subject, it came before that body, 
and somewhat singular action was taken upon it. Prob- 
ably few persons are aware that in the Session Laws of 
1853, is an act with the following title : 

'• An Act to provide for the erection of a Prison for the 
pi(rpose of solitary confinement, and a House of Correc- 
tion FOR Juvenile Offenders, and raaJcing an appropria- 
tion therefor." 

An act with this title passed both Houses, and was 
signed by the Governor. It appropriated $5,000 for a 
Prison for solitary confinement of murderers, but contained 
not the most remote allusion to a House of Correction 
except in the title, and of course, made no provision for it. 
Had it made such provision, the entire act would have 
been void, as the Constitution declares that " No law shad 
embrace mov: tha;i onj. oljeci, whiv^u sbnli be emoraced m 
its title." The " title" is thus left free to embrace any 
number of objects that may be desired. 

By reference to the journals of the Legislature, the his- 
tory of this bill appears to be as follows: A bill was 
before the Senate, entitled " A hill to provide for the eree- 



104 HOUSE OF CORRECTION 

tion of a Prison for tJie imrposes of solitary confinement,'^ 
In the course of its passage, it was amended so as to em- 
brace the other object, and thus passed the Senate, by a 
vote of nineteen to twelve. In the House, the provision 
for the House of Correction was stricken out, but without 
altering the title ; and on the return of the bill to the 
Senate, that body unanimously concurred in the amend- 
ment, and thus the one body with two heads found its 
place among the laws. 

In 1854, the Chaplain of the State Prison recommended 
to the Inspectors, that there being no proper House of 
Correction for the boys, they should spend one hour in 
each day in study. 

Governor Parsons, in his retiring message to the Legis- 
lature, in 1855, said: 

" I believe it to be the duty of the Legislature to estab- 
lish a House of Correction for Juvenile Offenders." 

In this opinion Governor Bingham fully concurred, as 
will be seen by the following extract from his message to 
the same body : 

^' The presence of several boys and youth among the 
more hardened criminals in the State Prison, induces me 
to urge upon your attention the propriety of establishing 
a House of Correction, where a milder course of treatment, 
more especiall}'' adapted to their reformation, can be em- 
ployed. The State has not performed its duty to these 
unfortunate victims of ignorance and temptation, until it 
jias made provision by a proper system of discipline, for 
their instruction, in useful knowledge, morals and piety — 
taught them some mechanical trade, or other proper em- 
ployment, and prepared them upon their release from 
confinement, to become good citizens and useful members 
of society, as they return to its duties and privileges." 

To these humane sentiments, the Legislature cordially 
responded, and appropriated twenty-five thousand dollars 
to establish a " House of Correction for Juvenile Offenders,^' 



FOR JUVENILE OFFENDERS. 105 

to which all persons nnder fifteen years of age committing 
a Prison offence should be sent, together with such of 
those as were from fifteen to twenty years of age, as the 
Court before which they were tried should think fit. The 
bill passed the Senate by a vote of tiuenty-six to tioo; and 
the House, by a vote of fifty-eight to five. Such unanimity 
is rare in the appropriation of large sums for a new enter- 
prise. 

The site selected consists of thirt}^ acres of high land on 
the eastern border of the village of Lansing, which it over- 
looks for a distance of about two miles along the G-rand 
River. The main building and north wing were at once 
commenced, and the institution was ready for the recep- 
tion of scholars on the second of September, 1856. The 
main building is 48 by 55 feet, and the wing 91 by 35 feet, 
the whole four stories high, and covering 5,930 square feet 
of ground. The plan is in good style, but comparatively 
plain, with no extravagant expense incurred for show\ 
When the corresponding south wing shall be erected, as it 
ought soon to be, it will be quite an imposing edifice, 
beautifully situated, showing a front of 236 feet. The 
present edifice contains a chapel, with seats for 400 per- 
sons : rooms for the accommodation of two familes ; office, 
kitchen, dining-room, bathing-room, sitting-room, hospital, 
tailor's shop, a school room, vrith seats for 80 scholars, and 
other necessary rooms, together with dormitories for 76 
boys, each boy occupying a room. The " yard" is inclosed 
by a high board fence, and comprises nearly two acres of 
land. In this yard is a brick shop, 25 by 60 feet, one story 
high, and another, also of brick, 25 by 50 feet, and two 
stories high, with an engine room attached. 

The entire expense to the State up to Dec. 1st, 1857, 

(the date of the latest reports,) was $46,701 45. This 

includes all the cost of grounds, (a large portion of which 

was donated by the citizens of Lansing,) buildings, super- 

14 



106 HOUSE OF COEKECTION 

inteDdence, salaries of officers, and everything to put the 
institution in operation, and pay the current expenses for 
fifteen months after being opened. It is estimated from 
the expenditures of the past year, that the annual current 
expsEse with the present number, 53, will be about 
$6,000. The boys will earn from $500 to $1,000. 

In 1857 the law was so amended that all delinquents not 
over sixteen years of age shall be sent to the House of 
Correction — nominally till they are twenty-one, but the 
Board of Control have power to dismiss them whenever in 
their discretion their reformation will warrant them in so 
doing, and such action promises their highest good. The 
happy influence which this must have upon the boys, in 
stimulating them to establish a good character, is apparent. 
If they are without friends, to throw around them their 
aid and protection, or for other reasons, the Board of Con- 
trol may apprentice them to some trade or occupation, as 
they think best. 

The number now in the institution (October, 1858) is 
fifty-four. The whole number admitted since it was 
opened, two years ago, is seventy-three. Of this entire 
number, nine only had never been in jail for previous 
olfences. Thirty-three had been in jail once ; thirteen, 
twice ; seven, thrice ; seven, five times ; one, six times ; 
one, nine times ; and one, ten times ! Nearly all were sent 
for larceny. But fourteen were over fifteen years of age, 
and but one under ten years. The age of one was nine 
years. Such is the material which this institution designs 
to reform, and send forth into the world to become good 
citizens. That in some cases it will fail, is to be expected ; 
but that in many others it will meet with the happiest 
success, reason, no less than the history of older Eeform 
Schools, gives a sure promise. 

The history of these seventy-three youth — but three of 
whom were girls — leads us to regard their misfortunes in 



FOR JUVENILE OFFENDERS. 107 

quite as striking a light as we do their crimes. Less than 
half of the number have both parents living ; and of those 
whose parents are living, those of four had separated. 
Less than half are of American birth. The fact that all, 
save four or five, were sent for larceny, indicates that they 
were^ led into crime, to a very great extent, through pov- 
erty. Most of the number were convicted of crimes which 
would have consigned an adult to the State Prison. Yet 
it is probable that not one-eighth of these delinquents 
would have been thus sentenced had there been no House 
of Correction to receive them. 'They would still have 
been sent to jail, from time to time, till increased deprav- 
ity and greater age fitted them for that College of crime 
where they would ultimately have graduated with sad 
honor, unless as they grew wicked, they should become 
crafty enough to escape the grasp of the lav>\ 

But look at their prospect now. They have a home, 
ervay from the evil examples and influences that, like an 
armed host, have invested them hitherto. In the place of 
idleness, they find industry ; in the place of want, plenty.. 
Indeed, a greater contrast than really exists between their 
former woes and their present comforts, cannot well be 
imagined. On entering the institution, their daguerreo- 
types are taken, their history ascertained, and briefly 
recorded. The fact is explained to them that they are not 
sentenced from a vindictive spirit of vengeance, that would 
torment them for their past crimes, but mainly for their 
highest good — to save them from ruii^, and enable them to 
become respectable men ; and that they will be dismissed 
as soon as, from their improvement, their truest friends 
deem compatible with their highest welfare. Every in- 
ducement that can be devised is set before them, to stim- 
ulate to virtuous thought and action. It is the design not 
to treat them in a mass, but each individual is made a 
special object of solicitude — his disposition studied, and 
in view of his particular case, such remedial influences 



108 HOUSE OF CORRECTION 

applied as give the highest promise of success. To do 
otherwise, the institution would greatly fail in its aim of 
restoring its patients. The physician might almost as well 
go through the wards of a hospital and give the same med- 
icine to its sufferers, as to expect to accomplish the highest 
good with fifty wayward bo3^s by dealing with them all 
alike, and in the mass. In many respects, their treatment 
must of course be uniform ; but it may not be forgotten, 
they are to be reformed as individuals. It is believed that 
the officers in charge realize the importance of this con- 
sideration. 

On entering the institution, each boy commences in 
class " 6," which figure, in German silver, is worn on the 
breast upon the Sabbath and holidays. At the end of a 
month, if his conduct justifies it, he is promoted to class 
'■'■ 5," and the figure changed. At the close of another 
month, he is promoted to " 4," or remains stationary, or is 
setback, according to his conduct. Thus he~goes on from 
month to month, till he reaches number "1." Nest comes 
the star, (-) the degree of honor ; and high are the aspira- 
tions of many of the number to gain this token of their 
character, and the confidence of their teachers. Some of 
the boys are often sent into the village upon errands, or 
otherwise trusted, and never yet has the Superintendent 
found his confidence betrayed. 

They are not locked into " cells" to sleep. Their dormi- 
tories are single, and large enough for comfort, with a 
window, and open into a spacious hall, two, and part of 
the way, three stories high, with tastefully constructed 
galleries. They have a better bedstead and bed than are 
the lot of half the boys in our land. The doors, it is true, 
are locked at night, but they appear like light lattice 
work, and are painted green. They are allowed to adorn 
their rooms according to their taste, and not a few are 
ornamented with pictures. 



FOR JUVENILE OFFENDERS. 109 

They rise at 5 to 6i oclock, according to the season, 
and breakfast at 6 i to 7 o'clock. From 7 till nine they are 
in school, where they are taught the branches usually 
pursued in the Primary School. In their education, the 
development of their moral faculties, and an inculcation of 
their responsibilities as beings destined to an endless 
existence, are kept constantly in view. From 9 till 12, the 
time is devoted to labor. Then comes dinner. 

And here is a scene well worth a journey from any part 
of the State to behold. Cold indeed, must be the heart 
which can witness it without emotion ! One forgets to 
mourn over their " imprisonment," and rather finds the 
eye moistening at the thought of their future hopes, in 
contrast with the inevitable ruin from which they have 
been rescued. They march around the long table, and 
take their places in perfect order, and most of them with 
cheerful countenances. At a signal they are seated ; an- 
other, and fifty heads are bowed, and fifty voices rise in 
unison to their Creator in a short, appropriate prayer. 
The meal is eaten in silence, and with a decorum that 
would put many a fashionable hotel dinner party to the 
blush. All their meals are taken in the same manner. 
From one o'clock to four, the time is again devoted to 
labor. From four to five o'clock, the hour is for recreation 
and supper, when they return to the school-room, where 
they study till eight, and retire for the night, after a short 
recess. This system gives them six hours per day for 
labor, Jive in school, and two and a half to four for recrea- 
tion. 

The institution has a library of about 175 volumes, from 
which the boys draw books every Saturday. They have 
also a common room where they can go when not other- 
wise engaged, to sit, or read the papers of the day, 
and learn what is going on in the world. In the State 
Prison, it is deemed the best policy, as far as possible, to 
exclude from the prisoners, all knoAvledge of what is pass- 



110 HOUSE OF CORRECTION 

ing outside of their walls. But here it is evidently wise 
to keep the boys informed of what is passing in the busy 
world upon which it is hoped they will ere long enter, to 
be good citizens and virtuous men. To keep them igno- 
rant of the world, would be a poor method of fitting them 
for its duties and trials. They are encouraged to keep up 
a correspondence with their friends: and can write 
monthly without expense to themselves or friends, and 
oftener if they wish, by providing for their own postage. 

On the Sabbath morning, they thoroughly wash them- 
selves in a large bathing tank, and the day is spent m 
reading, religious instruction, Sabbath-School teaching, 
singing, &c., under the direction of the Chaplain, Teache?, 
and others. They appear to be under no more restraini 
than are the pupils of a well conducted boarding-school. 

Much has been said and written upon the reformation of 
criminals. But whatever may be thought of the possibil- 
ity of reforming adults, it is a sad fact, that for every on© 
who is reformed, either in heart, or only in his conduct, 
many are made more desperate in wickedness, by im- 
prisonment. And in those cases where the reform is gen- 
uine, what infinite loss has the man still sustained ? Like 
him who recovers from the small-pox, to go through life 
with the scars upon his face, so he is saved, but with 
those fearful scars upon his character, which time can nev- 
er efface. But with the young delinquent, there is hope. 
The disease with him, is not yet as deap seated; his recn- 
perative powers are greater; and his past moral injuries, 
if not entirely obliterated, may be measurably so. 

The design of the House of Correction is the salvation 
of the young from ruin. It is not to create a revenue to 
the State Treasury. No school was ever organized for that 
purpose, though the wealth, as well as the happiness of 
the State is vastly augmented by the knowledge and virtue 
of its citizens. Yet it is designed to train these boys to 
habits of industry, and teach them^the practice of useful 



FOR JUVENILE OFFENDERS. Ill 

labor. In 1857 a portion of them were contracted at 
twelve and a half cents per day of seven hours, for making 
boots and shoes ; in which business however, the contract- 
ors did not succeed. A contract has been recently entered 
into, with Messrs. Woodhouse. Butler & Co., for tM^enty to 
forty boys, for five years, at eight cents per day of six 
hours, in manufacturing chairs : to be instructed, so that 
they may be able to obtain a livelihood at the business, 
when they go out into the world, dependent upon them- 
selves. This looks like a small price, but considering their 
age and inexperience, and the fact, that six hours consti- 
tutes a day, that the more competent and faithful they are, 
the sooner the contractors will lose their services by their 
dismissal — their places to be continually supplied by inex- 
perienced hands — it is believed to be as high a price com- 
paratively, as is paid by contractors in the State Prison. 

Pew of the blessings of life, either moral or physical, are 
obtained without labor and expense. The poor we have 
always with us ; and one of the highest duties of a State, 
is to protect its poor and unfortunate, and to educate its 
youth. But Schools and Asylums are not expected to be 
sources of revenue. The House of Correction is both a 
School and an Asylum. A School, in which these boys, — 
equal in native intellect, to boys in ^-eneral, — are given a 
good Common School education, and taught some useful 
occupation ; an Asylum, where the unprotected orphan, 
and the boy doubly orphaned in a besotted or depraved 
parent, may find a refuge from the ten thousand lures set 
by his poverty or by bad men, to entrap his unwary feet. 
Perhaps there are men who cannot appreciate this ; but 
there are hoys who can. During the brief period since the 
institution was opened, several homeless lads have pre- 
sented themselves at its door, begging admission to its pro- 
tection. Unfortunately they could not be received, 
under the law as it now stands. All the worthy Superin- 



112 HOUSE OP CORRECTION 

teudeiit could do. was to interest himself unofficially, to ob- 
tain them a home. It is to be hoped that the next Legis- 
lature will make provision for this class of orphans, who 
wish even at the cost of personal freedom, to escape the 
ruin that overtakes so many of their class. A few months 
since, an orphan boj stole a horse from the most public 
street in Lansing, in broad day, on purpose, as he stated, 
to be arrested and sent to the protection of the House of 
Correction! 

Shall such an institution be decried because it is at- 
tended with expense ? Then abandon, for the same reason, 
our other Asylums. Xay. let us pay out money for noth- 
ing that does not bring a money return, with interest I 
Abolish all our Schools and Churches ; let all our public 
and private charities cease ; let us pay no more taxes for 
the support of the Government, or for building Court 
Houses. Jails, or other local public buildings, or for roads and 
bridges : let us invest all our money where it Avill promise 
us a direct money profit in return ! "Who is so poor a phf- 
losopher as not to see that such economy would most 
signally defeat its own end, and that we should speedily 
sink to a nation of barbarians, where there would be no 
security for property, and every man's hand would be 
against his neighbor, and his neighbor's against him ? 
Who doubts that such a withholding would tend to pov- 
erty ? 

But what is the burden of expense which we must bear 
to support this institution. To complete the south wing 
of the building, and fit the whole for the accommodation 
of one hundred and fifty inmates, with shops and all ne- 
cessary appurtenances, will require, from the commence- 
ment of the enterprise, not more than §65,000. This is a 
permanent investment, and will amount to not over one- 
third OF A MILL upon [the dollar of the property in the 
State ! The current annual expenses, with 175 inmates. 



FOE JUVENILE 0FPBNDEE8. 118 

whioli it ought to provide for, will not exceed $10,000 ; 
and this amounts to not over one mill on every eighteen 
dollars of property in the State 1 

^ome of these very boys may yet be in positions to 
to render our children the same protection we now extend 
to them. The wheel of life in society revolves; let us see 
to it now, that the wretched appeal to us not in vain, as 
we may hope for succor for our ourselves, or our pos- 
terity, Avhen the wave of misfortune rolls over us or 
them. 



15 



ASYLUM FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB, 
AND THE BLIND. 



Article Thirteen of the Constitution of the State of Mich- 
igan is entitled "Education." Section ten of this Article, 
reads as follows : 

"Institutions for the benefit of those persons who are 
Deaf, Dumb, Blind or Insane, shall always be fostered and 
supported." 

The Asylum for the Insane perhaps cannot strictly be 
called an educational institution ; yet it is so in this impor- 
tant sense : Its design is to restore wandering Reason to 
its dominion in the Mind. As a hospital, it deals with 
physical disease, which is the cause of the loss of reason ; 
but that very disease is often the result solely of the mind's 
action upon the brain, and probably in all cases aggrava- 
ted by it ; and the restorative means are quite as much of 
an intellectual, as of a physical character. There is there- 
fore, evidently no impropriety in classing the Asylum for 
the Insane, as is done by the Constitution, among the edu- 
cational institutions of the ^tate. 

But the institution for the Deaf and Dumb, and the 
Blind, though popularly styled an Asylum — " a place of re- 
^treat, or security" — is strictly a School, according to the 
popular usage of that term. It is a School for the intel- 
lectual development of a class physically unable to receive 
the benefits of the Primary School. It is the boast of our 
institutions, that all classes shall have the means of educ£^- 
iion. Here are large numbers who, of all classes, need an 
education the most. They are to a great extent, deprived 



116 ASYLUM FOR THE 

of the ordinaiy means of improvement from observatioa 
and daily intercourse with tlie world, and are thus robbed, 
not only of their mental, but likewise of their physical re- 
sources. In this sad state, unable by their pec^iliar mis- 
fortune, to avail themselves of the ordinary means of an 
education, they may justly claim that the obligations of the 
Social Compact impose upon the State increased responsi- 
bilities to provide such other means as are within its power, 
for the improvement of those powers of mind that lie un- 
developed in the midnight of blindness, or in the living 
death of perpetual silence. 

The State Census of 1854 gives us the information that 
there were at that time one hundred and seventy-sis blind, 
and tvv^o hundred and six deaf and dumb persons in Mich- 
igan — in all, three hundred and eighty- two. • Since that 
time, the population of the State has increased nearly fifty 
per cent.* Allowing a proportional increase to these 
classes, we have at the present time, nearl}^ six hmdredj 
who must have aid from the State, or go down to the dark 
grave, scarcely darker than the mental and moral entomb- 
ment in VN^hich they live and die ! 

It were a great thing for a State to speak into being six 
hundred souls, and clothe them with knowledge and joy ! 
It were a more glorious deed could it raise that number 
from the dead, and give them back, with renewed life and 
youth, to their rejoicing friends I It can do neither liter- 
ally ; but figuratively, it cati accomplish both. It can 
restore those who exist, but can hardly be said to live ; it 
can perform the miracle of making the sense of feeling see, 
and the sense of sight hear ! It can call to the soul, im- 
prisoned in its temple of darkness, chained like a body of 
death to the charity of friends, and bid it to go forth dis- 
enthralled, to be a joy to itselt and its kindred. By giving 

* The actual incrt-ase is probably not so great as this ; but the increase upon the number 
reported by the census of 1S54 doubtless is. That census was notoriously defective. Yet it 
gave a popuVition of 509,374 To this, add fifty per cent, and it gives 764,061 — which eannot 
much exceed the present population of the State. 



DIAF ASD THE BLIND. 117 

to {he Deaf and Blind a substitute for their absent senses, 
we create them anew to the world and its enjoyments, and 
develope a new world to them. "We open the darkened 
chambers of the soul to the light of moral and spiritual 
truth, and furnish appropriate aliment for the sonF^ im- 
mortal yearnings. 

To be born deaf a hundred years* ago, was to come into 
the world apparently more like an unfortunate animal thaB 
like an offspring of humanity, and with hardly an ani- 
mal's prospect for enjoyment in life. To be born blind' 
was to open the eyes upon rayless darkness — only con- 
scious, like Tantalus, that just beyond the reach, were- 
innumerable fruits never to be obtained. 

But the Genius of Invention in these last days, fes not 
expended all its power upon dead matter, though it has 
fpell nigh imbued that with life and thought. Its most 
glorious experiments have been successfully m<a,de mth 
Humanity. It has sought out the insulated soul, and lighted 
up the deep dungeon of the mind with the electricity of 
Thought. It is not only spanning seas with messages of 
fire, but it is bridging that deeper, broader ocean, whose 
turbid waters roll between the soul of the Deaf a,nd Blind, 
and the shores of Science and Revelation 3 It not only 
makes dead matter supply the place of lost members of 
the body, but it furnishes a substitute for thos'e almost 
spiritual mechanisms, the eye and ear ! 

Men are still living who can remember when the Abbe 
De L^Epee, of France, first conceived the idea of a system ' 
for educating the Deaf and Dumb. It is little more than! 
forty years since the noble Gallaudet, of Hartford, Conn.,, 
established the first School in America for their benefit. 
The invention of a Sj'stem for instructing the Blind origi- 
nated also in France. Not far from the same time that 
idle good Abbe De L'Bpee was perfecting his scheme for 
educating the Deaf and Dumb, ^^ise Abbe Hauy was invent- 



118 ASYLUM FOR THE 

ing the plan of embossed printing for the Blind. But 
fifteen years later, Dr. Howe established a School for the 
Blind, in Boston, Mass. We can well afford to forgive 
"fickle France" for the folly of the fashions which she 
gives US, for these glorious inventions, which our country 
laas copied as readily as we do her fashions. 

The State of Michiga^i has perhaps little to boast of, in 
the fact that about twenty years elapsed after the State 
organization before she had any School for the Deaf and 
Dumb, and the Blind ; certainly not, that eight years 
passed between the making of the first appropriation, and 
the completion of one wing of a building for their accom- 
modation. The first movement was in 1848, when the 
Legislature adopted a Eesolution, asking a grant of land 
from the General Government in aid of the enterprise, 
together with that of an Asylum for the Insane. At the 
same time, an appropriation of eight sections of Salt 
Spring lands was made toward the same objects. Noth- 
ing was done however, during the year, to carry the law 
into effect ; and Governor Ransom in his message to the 
Legislature in 1849, recommended that nothing should be 
done until the lands could be sold, or other means pro- 
vided. 

The Legislature nevertheless increased the appropria- 
tion of Salt Spring lands from eight sections to fifteen, and 
directed the Trustees to commence the erection of an 
Asylum for the Insane as soon as the receipts from sales of 
liie land would warrant — virtually abandoning the Asylum 
for the Deaf and'Dumb, and the Blind, for the time. 
During the year, however, the citizens of the village of 
Flint and vicinity made an offer of ten acres of land, and 
three thousand dollars in money, to secure the location of 
the last named Asylum at that place ; and the Trustees 
went so far as to decide upon that location. In 1850, they 
■arged upon the Legislature the importance of providing 
the means for putting the School in operation without 



DEAF AND THE BLIND. 119 

delay. The Legislature further increased the appropria- 
tion of Salt Spring lands for the Asylums, to twenty-five 
sections, and enacted to advance five thousand dollars from 
the State treasury — the same to be refunded from the first 
receipts upon sales of the lands. At the same time it was 
provided that not more than one thousand dollars of the 
amount should be used in the first year, and not more than 
three thousand in any one year thereafter. This was not 
a very large beginning for institutions which could hardly 
be made available for limited use, for less than a hundred 
thousand dollars, and to complete which, would require 
from three to four hundred thousand. But it may be said 
that the finances of the State were in a deranged condition, 
and the increase of its debt more than the available 
resources during the previous year, was $109,718 58, while 
the State direct tax was over one hundred thousand 
dollars. 

Up to 1851, nothing had been done toward the Asylum 
for the Deaf and Dumb, and the Blind, except to obtain 
the subscriptions above named, from the citizens of Flint, 
and to decide upon its location at that place ; and in 1851, 
the Trustees reported to the Legislature, that the Asylum 
for the Insane was of the most pressing importance, and 
they had given their first attention to that object. That 
is the last that was heard oflicially, of the subject, till 
1853, when the Trustees reported that two hundred dol- 
lars of the donation from the citizens of Flint had been 
expended in improving the grounds. This was a discour- 
aging prospect for the five or six hundred unfortunates 
who for five years, had been promised a School adapted to 
their wants. 

The commencement of 1853 found $116,555 21 in the 
State Treasury; and during the year, this was increased to 
$375,773 07. This increase was owing to the sales of the 
public lands. Of the State indebtedness, with the excep- 
tion of $100,000 due in 1856, there would be nothing due 



120 ABYLUM FOE THE 

Tintii 1858 ; and it would seem that something practiealand 
positive might have been done for the enterprise, in 1853. 
But Governor McClelland made no allusion to the Asylums 
in his Message of that year, to the Legislature, That body 
however voted to levy a direct tax as follows : 
For the Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb, and the 

Blind...... 13,000 

For the Asylum for the Insane, in 1853,. 10,000 

1854, 10,000 

But this was not to be an appropriation from the Treas- 
ury ; but a tax to go ultimately into the Treasury ; for it 
was only to be loaned to the Asylums, to be refunded out 
of the first avails of the Salt Spring lands which had been 
appropriated. It seemed still to be the policy of the State, 
that the cost of these noble and humane institutions should 
never exceed the avails of twenty-five sections of land. 
But even the three thousand dollars thus voted as a loan, 
was useless until it should be collected — which would re- 
quire almost a year. So nothing was done during the year 
1853 \ and by the time the State had'collected the three 
thousand dollars, so generously to loan to the institution, 
about four hundred thousand dollars'was lying idle in the 
Treasury, or earning but one^per cent, to the State. 

But in 1854, the work was really commenced. Sis years 
had passed away since the first appropriation of land, and 
now the Trustees found themselves in command of means 
sufficient to make a beginning — though that was about all. 
Without waiting longer, however, they rented a building, 
and Feb. 1st, 1854, a School was opened, with eleven deaf 
mutes and one blind person for pupils. Slow as the pro- 
gress was, that of the Asylum for the Insane had hardly 
been greater. 

In 1855, Governor Parsons, the retiring, and Governor 
Bingham, the incoming Executive, both recommended to 
the Legislature to give the Asylums the necessary aid to 
make them competent for their high design. These two 



DEAF AND THB BUND. 121 

gentlemen were supposed to represent the views of all the 
voters in the State. It was evident to all, that the finances 
of the State, so abundantly replenished by the sale of the 
School, and other lands, were now in a condition to warrant 
substantial aid, and that the progress of the age impera- 
tively demanded it. Accordingly, thirty-three thousand 
dollars was appropriated from the treasury to complete 
the School wing, which had been commenced, for the Deaf 
and Dumb, and the Blind, and to sustain the institution 
in 1855 and '56. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of. 
25 to 2, and the House by a vote of 62 to 14. It was in 
no respect a party measure — the majority of both parties 
in both Houses voting for the bill. 

In one year the wing was completed, and occupied by 
forty-seven pupils, and four teachers. By Autumn, the 
number was increased to seventy-seven pupils, and six 
teachers. These, witli the Principal and his family, and 
help, numbered ninety persons ; which were more than 
oould be comfortably situated, but the importunities for 
admission were so numerous and urgent, that the chapel 
was converted into a sleeping-room, and on the 1st of Jan- 
uary, 1858, there were sixty-two Deaf, and twenty-eight 
Blind, in the institution. 

The Legislature in 1855 appropriated in all, one hundred 
and twenty-five thousand dollars for the Asylums and the 
House of Correction. None of these appropriations were 
made a party measure, and a majority of both the political 
parties voted for them. It is to be recorded to the honor 
and humanity of all, that these institutions, promising so 
much for the relief of human woe, were placed above all 
party considerations, and the appropriations were made 
simply upon the merits of each several case. All the cir- 
oumstances indicated it ab Lhe settled policy of the State 
to press forward these inbiitutions to completion, as rap- 
idly as prudence would warrant. During the exciting 
16 



122 ASYLUM FOR THE 

political contest of 1856, no one complained of the heavy- 
appropriations of the previous year — still fresh in the 
public memory— no one considered the expenditure an 
extravagance, or a waste. 

With such a public sentiment, and so well understood 
by the members of the Legislature in 1857, that body, with 
remarkable unanimity, with the same union as in 1855, 
made large appropriations for the Asylums, of which sev- 
enty-five thousand dollars was for the Asylum for the Deaf 
and Dumb, and the Blind^ — to erect the main building, and 
sustain the School in 1857 and '58. The bill making this 
appropriation passed the House by a vote of fifty-nine to 
eleven; and the Senate, by the unanimous vote of all the 
members present.* Until 1857, both of the Asylums had 
been under the control of one Board of Trustees. The 
bad policy of this — one institution being located at Flint, 
and the other at Kalamazoo — had become apparent, and 
the two were placed under the care of separate Boards. 

On the 15th of July, 1857, the corner-stone of the main 
buildings for the Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb, and the 
Blind, was laid, with appropriate ceremonies, in the pre- 
sence of the Governor and other distinguished gentlemen. 
Letters of congratulation upon the progress of the enter- 
prise, from distinguished citizens of our own and other 
States, were read upon the occasion. 

The buildings thus commenced, are the main front and 
wings. One of these wings is now (November, 1858,) 
roofed, and the other almost ready for covering in ; the 
main building is so far advanced that it also, will be roofed 
this fall. 

The main building, which covers an area of 50 by 100 
feet, independent of its projections, will consist of four sto- 
ries above the basement — the whole surmounted by a dome 
120 feet high from the ground. The basement is designed, 

*The bill appropriating S50,000 for the Asylum for the Insane, passed the House by a vote 
of 45 to 6 ; and the Senate by a vote of 21 to 7. The appropriation for the House of Correc- 
tion was with similar unanimity. 



DEAF AND THE BLIND. 123 

for shops for the instructiou of pupils in mechanical trades, 
store rooms, hot air chambers for regulating the tempera- 
ture of the rooms, &c. The first floor consists of reception 
rooms and music rooms for the use and recreation of pupils; 
the second floor is appropriated to the family purposes of 
the Principal and Assistants, and the third to the use of 
the Teachers. 

One of the side wings is designed for male, the other for 
female pupils ; they will accommodate from 350 to 400 per- 
sons. Each wing covers an area of 50 by 80 feet, and con- 
sists of three stories above the basement. The basement 
story is designed for bathing, washing and ironing rooms ; 
the first story for exercise and study ; the second for hos- 
pital and dormitories ; the third for dormitories. 

The central building, which is not yet commenced, will 
communicate by covered corridors, in front with the main 
building, or in rear with the side and school wings. The 
basement is designed for the kitchen, the first story for the 
dining hall, and the second for the chapel — covering an 
area of 40 by 70 feet. 

The school wing, completed in 1856, is in the rear. The 
whole will show a front of two hundred feet. The style is 
good, but comparatively plain, with no wasteful extrava- 
gance for mere ornament. The original estimate of the 
cost of the buildings and appurtenances was $120,000 00 ; 
but thus far, the expenses have been kept considerably 
within the estimates, (a very rare thing in public works,) 
and it is believed that not more than $110,000 will be re- 
quired in all. This speaks well for the economy and faith- 
fulness of the Board, and especially of the acting Commis- 
sioner, Hon. J. B. Walker. 

The design of this institution is not merely to impart in- 
tellectual light to the darkened minds of its unfortunate 
pupils ; but likewise, as soon as suitable conveniences can 
be prepared, to teach them sitch occupations as will best 
enable them to earn their own support in after life. Even 



124 ASYL'OM If^Ofe THS 

the Blind will be taught simple trades, such as making 
baskets, brooms, and brushes, which will make them, there- 
after, less dependent upon others. In this, it is like the 
House of Correction, an Industrial School. The man who 
gives his son no occupation, whereby he may honestly pro- 
vide for his own wants, is justly regarded as recreant to 
his high responsibility as the natural protector of his off- 
spring. He places himself below the parental instincts of 
some of the brute creation. And he who denies his sOn 
the time and means to cultivate properly his intellectual 
powers, is regarded as a sordid wretch, almost deserving 
of a place in the pillory. But it is the duty of the State to 
do in the general, Avhat the parent is expected to do in pai^- 
ticular. All should be educated, but all cannot be educated! 
to professional life. Especially is this true of the Deaf ancS 
the Blind. Hence, as a majority of fathers should educate- 
their sons to lahor^ so should the State thus educate ihese- 
classes, who are peculiarly its children. We talk of intel- 
lect as resident in the brain ; but who does not know that 
the liand can be educated till it almost shows signs of intel-- 
ligence in itself? A wonderful thing, indeed, is tha- human 
hand ! What is there grand in architecture, or beautiful 
in artistic display, not v/rought by the hand? From the 
boy^s shingle, with its paper sail, to the leviathan steamer 
— from the infant's block house to the proudest palace^ — 
from the most insignificant to the most stupendous material 
works of man — all is due to the skill of the human hand. 
Sad, indeed, would be the condition of our race, were the 
hand to "forget its cunning!" It is true that the hand is 
dependent upon the intellect for its power ; (though the 
most skillful hand and the weakest intellect are often found 
united ;) but, though the intellect may be equal to an 
angel's, the hand itself must be educated, ere it can accom- 
plish its wonderful works. It is, therefore, evidently due 
to the Deaf and Blind that they shall receive such a labor 
education as may be best adapted to their condition and 
wants. ' 



, DEAF AND THE BLIND. 125 

All acknowledge the obligation of the State to provide 
for the physical necessities of those who, from any misfor- 
tune, are unable to provide for themselves. Hence our 
County poor-houses ; and officers in every tov/nship to 
become the protectors of the poor and helpless. Probably 
not a man could be found in the State who will object to all 
the expense thus incurred for the unfortunate. And shall 
we place the physical wants of our humanity above its 
moral and intellectual hungerings ? Shall we show such 
solicitude for this animal frame, which, at the best, soon 
lies down to mix again with its kindred dust, and ignore 
all the demands of that higher nature, upon which is 
.stamped the seal of immortal being? We make no "ap- 
propriations" for the support of the poor — saying they 
shall be provided for so far, but no farther ; but we agree 
to support them, and pay the bills as properly presented, 
be they less or more. And can we do less for those, many of 
whom are equally helpless, and all of whose higher natures 
are starving, and when nothing short of the power of the 
State can give them relief? Each man cannot provide 
teachers for his deaf or blind child ; nor is it often that a 
town or county can do it. The State only — except in rare 
instances — can build and support Asylums. 

The Deaf, Blind and Insane, are fully equal in numbers 
to those who receive aid from the county funds. The 
three classes in this State, at the present time, number 
probably not less than one thousand. The number of the 
Insane is about equal to that of the Deaf and Blind united. 
It cannot be assumed that these classes are any better 
qualified for their own support than are the county poor. 
Will it be said that the Deaf should be excepted in this 
comparison? Then it may be replied with confidence, 
that an equal number of the least helpless of the county 
poor should be excepted ; for doubtless there are many of 
that number who could " get along in some way," by their 
own exertions. 



126 ASYLUM FOR THE \ 

The fable represents a traveler wandering into distant 
climes till he became lost in the world's wide desert. 
After hair-breadth escapes from barbarian tribes, he came 
suddenly upon a populous city. Uncertain of the char- 
acter of its inhabitants, he approached fearfully, until his 
eye caught the sight of a Church and a Prison. Then he 
rejoiced ; for he knew he had found a Christian people. 

Back of the irony here intended, lies a truth, per- 
haps not discovered by the author, which does honor to 
the Christianity of the age. Prisons and chains have not 
been wanting in all ages, almost from the time when the 
first distinguished fratricide wpnt forth from the presence 
of his Maker, a vagabond upon the earth ; and proba- 
bly they will be required until the promised millenium 
shall obviate their necessity, by the abolition of crime. 
But until the advent of the Man of Nazareth — and even 
now, where his Religion is unknown or unappreciated — 
they were as likely to be employed for the persecution of 
good men, as for the restraint or punishment of the bad. 
Churches, therefore, are a sign that there are those who 
are striving to promulgate and practice the principles of a 
higher law than that of self, regardless of the rights of 
others, or the claims of God ; and Prisons show that these 
principles are not universal — that there still exist bad 
men to be punished and restrained. Our traveler — or his 
historian — must have lived long ago, or he would have 
seen by the side of the Church, indicating love to God, 
the Asylum, speaking of good will to man. 

Hospitals and Asylums are not the offspring of Heathen- 
ism. There have been tribes of men, where the infirm 
and helpless were put to death, with the sanction of law — 
if law it could be called, where justice and humanity were 
thus set at naught. And from that state of diabolism, as 
our race has progressed in intelligence and virtue, we find 
first the rights, and then the wants, of the weak, regarded ; 
and Prisons are put more exclusively to their appropriate 



DEAF AND THE BLIND. 127 

use. Hospitals, for the sick and disabled, were of an early 
date. It needed but a heart of humanity to conceive of 
their benefits. Asylums for the Deaf, Blind and Insane, 
are of modern origin ; not because the warm heart of 
Christianity did not feel for the woes of these classes, but 
because no inventive mind had been Heaven inspired to 
conceive the means of their relief. To conceive the plan, 
was to secure its execution. And if the names of Faust, 
and Fulton, and Morse, descend to remote posterity, as 
benefactors of their race, in their inventions, shall they 
who have invented Asylums, and successful treatment for 
the Deaf, the Blind, and the Insane — and even for Idiots — 
ever be forgotten ? What say the grateful hearts of those 
who have had a new existence opened up to their con- 
sciousness by their philanthropy ? 

To the memory of the devoted Gallaudet, the founder of 
tlie first Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb in America, at 
Hartford, Conn., a monument has been erected at an 
expense of two thousand and five hundred dollars, by the 
money and labor of Deaf Mutes alone ! And how many 
thousands are there in all enlightened lands, who bless the 
memory of the Abbe De L'Epee, the inventor of the 
*' deaf and dumb alphabet;" and of his compeer, the Abbe 
Hauy, who like another Faust, conceived of printing books 
to be read by the Blind ! And is it not safe to predict, 
that another generation in this State — and especially the 
thousands who will hereafter find relief from mental bond- 
age, and darkness inconceivable — will send back aspirations 
of gratitude to the men of those Legislatures who founded 
and sustained our Asylums, and to their constituents who 
so cheerfully contributed the means. 

The means ! Ah, that is the bugbear which stands ever 
like a devouring lion, before some men's eyes ! If they 
would not themselves live forever in midnight darkness, 
with worse than iron chains upon their soul, they would 
let others do so, rather than incur the " expense" necessary 



128 ASYLUM FOR fHB 

for their relief. Wliile such.- narrow selfisliness exists in 
the world, Prisons must doubtless be built bv the side of 
Churches ; for when a man denounces such monuments of 
enlarged and enlightened Christianized humanity as are 
our Asylums, and seeks to enlist a popular or party preju- 
dice against them because of their trifling expense, he- 
demonstrates in no small degree, the necessity of Prisons 
for bad men, or the erection of another Asylum for another 
class, who were, until a recent date, considered the most 
hopeless cases of an almost obliterated humanity. 

" The trifling Expense ?'' 

Yes, the term is used advisedly. A slight consideration 
of the subject shows that all the expense of our Asylums 
is trifling, compared to our means, and unworthy of a 
second thought, in view of the blessings these institutions 
are able to impart. 

To complete the Asylums for the Deaf and Blind, and 
for the Insane, and the House of Correction, and fully fur- 
nish them, according to their several plans, competent to 
meet the wants of the State for a generation to come, 
cannot, at the highest estimate, cost over six hundred 
thousand dollars. And what is that upon two hundred 
millions ? Divide it between 'six years, which is as fast 
as the means have been and will be required, and five 
cents upon every hundred dollars of our property, or half 
of one mill upon every dollar, is all. And will any one 
who claims affinity to " Godlike humanity," object to a tax 
so trifling in amount, when productive of so noble results ? 
Taxation is usually most severely felt by men of moderate 
means ; but where is the man worth five hundred dollars, 
who would object to paying twenty-five cents per annum 
for six years, to perfect these humane institutions ? Then 
they are completed, the current expenses of their maiur 
tenance and support for the next twenty years, may 
average forty thousand dollars per annum.. This will 
amount to less than tioo hundredths of one per cent, upoa 



DEAF AND THE BLIND. 129 

the value of the property in the State ! Nearly half of th© 
above estimated six hundred thousand dollars has already 
been expended. Not half of the amount hitherto used, 
has been raised by a direct tax ; but as every man is a 
co-partner, and owner of the public funds, in proportion 
to the amount of his property, it is essentially the same 
thing. And who will object to the appropriation annually 
of an amount equal to tivo cents upon every hundred dollars 
of his property, to sustain these three noble institutions, 
and to reveal a new life to the six or seven hundred of otir 
unfortunate fellow beings who will ere long be found 
within thfiir walls ? 

Men seem to have an instinctive dread of taxation ; and 
there was, perhaps, never a community Avhere the com- 
plaint of " high taxes" was not heard. The money thns 
paid aiDpears to bring no return. Yet our taxes do secure 
a valuable consideration, as trul}^ as does the money with 
which we buy our daily food. We do not see it as muck 
in the detail, but in the aggregate result it is no less cer- 
tain. And our taxes for the support of the government 
and its works are very insignificant, compared with those 
we pay on our own direct account. We pay from half a 
cent to four cents upon the dollar for insurance on our 
buildings ; yet the public taxes of every description, which 
we pay, averaging perhaps half of one cent upon the dollar 
in the country, and one cent in the cities annually, consti- 
tute really a far better insurance upon the general safety 
and productiveness of our property, than does any insu- 
rance against fire upon our buildings. What would our 
property be worth without schools, courts, and highways? 
Yet these are maintained only by taxation. Our taxes keep 
in motion all the machinery of society, necessary to protect 
and give value to our possessions. Let a now prosperous 
community reduce its contributions for churches, schools, 
courts, roads, and for all county and town purposes, and 

17 



130 ASYLUM FOE THE 

let every individual reduce his private charities, to one- 
fourth the amount heretofore paid, and in a very brief space 
of time, we should see property of all kinds depreciate in 
value, business would decline, crime would increase, and 
"for sale or to let" might soon be stereotyped upon a great 
portion of its dwellings. 

All the blessings of life which we enjoy superior to un- 
civilized tribes of men, come to us through the agency of 
taxation in its various forms. As an individual, the farmer 
pays a tax in the purchase of his land ; and the seed which 
he deposits in the soil, is but one of the taxes he must 
pay to secure a harvest. As a member of society, he must 
pay a further tax for building roads and bridges, or the 
harvest, when obtained, will lose a great part of its value. 
Without taxation of any kind, we should stand upon the 
earth — if,^ indeed, we could live under such circumstances 
— physically inferior to the animal tribes ; and less com- 
petent than they to enjoy even our animal existence 
The wild Indian pays no public taxes, and few upon hie 
own account. And few and small are the blessings he 
obtains, either for his physical, intellectual, or moral 
nature! But to make available the blessings which we 
procure by direct purchase — which may be denominated 
private taxation — we must consent to pay common or 
public taxes. What would the surplus crop of the farmer 
be worth, were there no roads ? But free roads can be 
built onl}^ by public taxation. And when the roads are 
constructed, there is involved the necessity of another pri- 
vate tax for his wagon, or the system is still imperfect, 
and the other taxes fail in their highest results. Thus are 
all our expenditures, private and public, intimately related 
to, and dependent upon each other, in securing the greatest 
amount of good to ourselves and the community. 

As a question of expediency, it is not so much what 
amount of taxes we pay, as for what objects we pay them. 
Some young men expend more for cigars than all the 



DEAF AND THE BLIND. 131 

public taxes they would pay, if worth twent}^ thousand 
dollars! There is little danger of such a tax bringing any 
better return than a debased taste, a beclouded intellect, 
a diseased body and poverty. In those nations where the 
taxes are wrung from the reluctant masses, to aggrandize 
the few, the people are necessarily impoverished thereby. 
But in this free land, so called, we the people, tax our- 
selves for our own benefit ; and we are our own judges how 
our revenues can be best applied. When the tax gatherer 
makes his appearance, he is not always a welcome visitor ; 
but he comes only for that which we have probably voted 
to pay, and it is seldom that -any one would have a single 
object for which the money is to be raised, abandoned. 
Who would have a dollar less expended for the support of 
Schools ? Doubly benighted must the man be, who would 
lessen one cent, the means for educating his children! 
Who would have a dollar less appropriated for the enforce- 
ment of the laws of the land ? Surely, our persons and prop- 
erty are even now, none too safe from the assassin and thief! 
Thus we might go through the long list of objects for 
which we tax ourselves ; and though the aggregate may 
appear large, and at times onerous, there is seldom a single 
object we would be willing to see relinquished, merely on 
the ground of an enlightened economy. 

We owe the security of all our rights, and the protection 
to our persons and property which we enjoy more than 
that possessed by barbarous nations, entirely to our social 
compact, sustained in its influences by the virtue and in- 
telligence of the people. To carry out the designs of this 
compact, while there is so much evil and selfishness in the 
world, requires all the machinery of government ; and the 
more perfect it is in its operations and results — as a gen- 
eral rule, and perhaps always, if in the hands of honest 
agents — the more expensive it is. We might elect one or 
two men to make our laws, at one-fiftieth of the expense 
incurred by a Legislature. As far as any necessity in the 



132 ASYLUM FOR THE 

case is involved, this would be the best economy ; yet all 
are aware that the history of the world shows, that as a 
matter of fact, the "one man power" is the most expen- 
sive that can be devised ; and that not only financially, bnt 
as regards justice and equal rights. Few men can resist 
the temptation of power, to use it for their own aggran- 
dizement ; and the most perfect wisdom and virtue that 
ever united in mere mortal man, cannot be safely trusted 
with supreme power. Our fathers who followed their 
God-like commander through the Revolution, might have 
trusted Washington, but Washington would not have 
trusted himself. The possession of power is perhaps the 
severest trial to which a man's integrity is ever subjected. 
We often see this illustrated in those who, in obtaining 
power, or even in the hope of obtaining it, forfeit a char- 
acter which they have labored many years to acquire. 

Hence we perceive the true policy in free institutions, 
in retaining the power as directly as practicable, in the 
hands of the people. And as the people must necessarily 
employ agents to transact their public business, they are 
elected for short terms ; so that, if they fail to reflect the 
will of the people, they can be displaced before they have 
time to do extensive injury. Thus the men — the leaders 
of a party — who fail for any lei-gth of time to execute the 
will of the masses, will be hurled from power, and their 
places bestowed upon new parties and new men. Even 
judicial tribunals — the strongest holds of civil power — will 
be overthrown if they continue to outrage united public 
sentiment. If one Legislature makes laws in opposition 
to the will of the people, men will be elected to the next, 
to repeal them. It is therefore impossible for a body of 
legislators long to misrepresent the will of their constit- 
uents, by taxation or otherwise. 

When we see successive Legislatures|making the estab- 
lishment of our humane institutions a marked feature of 
their policy, with no remonstrance, it is fairly to be inferred 



DEA.F AND THE BLIND. 133 

-were other proof wanting — that they are executing the 
_^public will. Even the strife of political partizanship has 
not reached the ground of our Asylums and Schools. So 
well are politicians aware that they are founded in reason, 
justice, humanity, and the hearts of the people, that they 
dare not avow opposition to them. The most they dare 
do, is to appeal to men's passions in reference to some of 
the details of their management. Such appeals go for 
about what they are worth, with an intelligent people. 
The unearthly wail of the Maniac, the sightless look of the 
Blind, and the mute speech of the Dumb, utter a more im- 
pressive voice than ever went up from the hosts of a politi- 
cal battle field. The man who would sacrifice the claims of 
suffering humanity for party or political considerations, 
would be likely to commit any crime that seemed to promise 
him benefit, if he could do it with impunity. 

The enlightened and benevolent hearts of the citizens 
of Michigan who have thus far cordially sustained their 
public servants in establishing their Asylums, will hardly 
take a step backward in the noble works now half comple- 
ted, and thus incur the stigma of going downward in the 
scale of civilization and humanity. Michigan has no cause 
to be ashamed of her institutions. She has set an example 
for her sister States in her Agricultural College — her Uni- 
versity ranks among the first in the land — her Normal 
School is raising still higher the standard of education in 
the Primary Schools, which, with her local Colleges and 
Seminaries, will compare favorably with those of older 
States. Her public debt is insignificant, compared with 
that of several other States, and her resources are abun- 
dant to meet all the demands of an enlightened State pol- 
icy. Her general tax is but about half a mill upon the dol- 
lar of her property, as assessed at less than two-thirds its 
value, and the heavier taxes for local objects, are only such 
as her citizens voluntarily impose upon themselves, as they 
deem best for their highest prosperity. With all her past 



134 ASYLUM FOE THE DEAF AND BLIND. 

acts of enterprise, intelligence and benevolence, it can 
hardly be ever said that her reformatory and humane in- 
stitutions are not sustained with all the promptitude and 
liberality that is warranted by her ability, demanded by 
her Christianity, and by the obligations of the social com - 
pact, whose Constitution — which demands their support — 
is but the written recognition of the mutual obligations of 
dependent humanity. 



ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE. 



The Asylum for the Insane being classed among the 
educational institutions of the State, by the Constitution, 
the Superintendent of Public Instruction has deemed it 
fit and desirable that some notice of it should be given in 
connection with other kindred institutions, in this work. 
Having consulted with the officers of the Asylum, who 
entertain like views, the following article prepared by the 
Medical Superintendent, is here submitted. 

The discovery and settlement of Michigan date far back 
in our national history, and yet only half a century has 
passed since its constiution as a territory, and but twenty- 
two years since its admission into the Union as a separate 
and independent State. Though Detroit was founded as 
early as 16T0, in 1810, one hundred and forty years after- 
ward, the population of the entire State was only four 
thousand seven hundred and sixty-two. The occurrence 
of the last war with Great Britain, and the unsettled state 
of the country consequent thereon, so far interrupted im- 
migration, that in ten succeeding years the population was 
scarcely doubled. The growth of the State was thence- 
forward more rapid ; the census returns showing a popu- 
lation in 1830 of 31,689, and in 1840 of 212,267. 

The statistics of nativity, occupation, education, and 
other points more or less directly connected, etiologically 
or otherwise, with the subject of insanity, are presented 
as follows, in the United States Census of 1850. In an 
entire population of 397,654, 341,596 were born in the 



1S6 i ASYLUM FOE 



States, 54,703 were of foreign birth, and 1295 un- 
Imowa. About one-half of those of foreign birth were 
«2giHally from Great Britain. The male adult population 
©f the State was 108,978, of whom 65,709 w^ere farmers, 
sbont two thousand professional men, nearly four thousand 
■were engaged in the different branches of mercantile pur- 
suit, and about the same number are classed as laborers. 
©f the male adult population, 8,000, about three-eighths of 
wisom were of foreign birth, were found entirely destitute 
«# education, and unable to read or write. At the date of 
Ae Census Report, June 1st, 1850, the whole number of 
;paiipers receiving support was four hundred and twenty- 
msie — two hundred and forty-eight of whom are of native 
aiatl one hundred and eighty -one of foreign birth. 

Mo special attempt seems to have been made to procure 
®f.Mi and reliable enumeration of the Insane in the State 
^1" Michigan. The statistics presented, hovvever, it is pre- 
sismed, are as correct as those usually compiled under 
'similar circumstances, and for purposes of comparison fully 
as reliable. In 1840 the number of Insane and Idiots, as 
presented in the United States Census, was but sixty-five, 
©lily seven of v^^hom were supported at public charge. In 
ihe next decennial census and statistical returns made to 
ifee Department of State, in pursuance of an act of the 
Legislature, the whole iaumber of Insane and Idiots, in 
3Jay, 1854, Avas found to be four hundred and twenty-eight. 
Use annexed table is a compilation of the foregoing data, 
^©d shows the ratio of Insane and Idiotic to the existing 
population : 



Year. 


Number of 
Insane. 


1 Proportion of Insane 
Total Population. | and Idiots 1o the en- 
1 tire Population. 


3840 


65 

326 

428 


212,267 
397,654 
509,374 


1 to 3265 


1850 


1 to 1190 


•IBM 


1 to 1119 



In 1850 the ratio of Insanity in the United States was 1 
m 1,280. Assuming the. population of Michigan to be at 



THE INSANE. 13t 

the present time 725,000, and taking tlie same ratio, the 
number of Insane in our iState is more than 550. In the 
most recentl}'- settled of the western States, statistics Jjave 
shoAvn the rates of insanity to be 1 in 1,400. Taking a 
more favorable ratio even than this, 1 in 1,500, we have 
the Insane population in Michigan numbering 480. The 
question presents itself, what is the State doing for this 
most unfortunate and helpless class of her citizens ? 
Where are these 480 lunatics? What is their condition? 

On account of the almost universallj received idea that 
the term idiocy is applicable to all forms of mental imbe- 
cility, and the great difficulty usually experienced in in- 
structing census marshals to make a proper distinction 
between idiots and the demented, no attempt w^as made, in 
compiling the statistical tables from the returns of the 
State census, to separate the one class from the other. 
With a view of presenting the matter more fully to the 
Legislature, and to arrive at the facts with greater minute- 
ness than was exhibited in the returns of the census, the 
Board of Trustees of the Michigan Asylum for the Insane, 
during the summer of 1856, instituted inquiries, by means 
of circulars, in every township of the State. Returns 
were received from only about one-third of the organized 
townships. 

Comparing previous results with those deducible from 
the statistics thus obtained, the Board came to the conclu- 
sion that the number of insane in the State was not less 
than four hundred, three hundred and fifty of wdiom they 
consider proper subjects for immediate medical treatment. 
It was further ascertained that about one-half of this num- 
ber were maintained by their friends at home, the remain- 
der being county and town paupers. Of those supported 
in the poor-houses and other similar receptacles, the Board 
remark, " very few receive any medical treatment what- 
ever, and' are subject to influences which tend rather to 

18 



138 ASYLUM FOE 

confirm than to remove their disease, while the worst pos- 
sible moral effect is produced upon all who are thus asso- 
ciated." 

The subject of public provision for the Insane of the 
State of Michigan was first introduced for legislative ac- 
tion in 1848. A joint resolution of the Senate and House 
of Representatives made it the duty of the assessors, in 
their annual assessment rolls, to report the number of the 
Insane, Deaf and Dumb, and Blind, in their respective town- 
ships. The laws of that session also established the Asy- 
lums, and appropriated eight sections of " Salt Spring 
lands " (5120 acres) for the erection of buildings. The 
government of the institution was vested in a Board of 
Trustees, empowered to establish rules and regulations, ap- 
point officers, and to report to the Legislature annually. 

In 1849 the amount of lands appropriated was increased 
to fifteen sections, (9600 acres,) and the immediate selec- 
tion of the land required. The proceeds of sale were to 
be passed to the credit of the "Asylum Fund ;" and at this 
session it was also made the duty of the Board of Trustees 
to select suitable locations. At the next session of the 
Legislature ten additional sections of land were appropri- 
ted, making a total of sixteen thousand acres, also ^5,000 
as a loan, from the general fund, to be used by the Trus- 
tees in the construction of the Asylums, and in defraying 
other expenses. 

In 1851, the Board reported to the Legislature that they 
had ascertained the number and wants, as far as possible, 
of the Insane, Deaf and Dumb, and the Blind, and recom- 
mended the immediate erection of institutions for their 
care and treatment. They found in the State between 
three and four hundred Insane persons, some of whom were 
with their friends and relatives, but the greater number 
confined in county houses and jails. "The wants of this 
class being of pressing necessity, particular attention was 
directed to the obtaining of information on the organiza- 



THE INSANE. 139' 

tion and construction of institutions for the Insane, and 
communication had with several medical superintendents. 
As the result of their labors, they recommend the imme- 
diate erection of an institution capable of accommodating 
two hundred patients ; to have attached not less than one 
hundred and sixty acres of laud, located near some town or 
village ; built substantially, and upon the general plan of 
the most perfect building in the country ; to be warmed 
by steam or hot water apparatus, and ventilated upon the 
most improved modern plan." 

The citizens of Kalamazod, in addition to the sum of 
$1,380, had donated for the site of the Asylum for the 
Insane, ten acres of land in the central portion of the vil- 
lage. This, being unsuitable for the location of an institu- 
tion, was disposed of, and one hundred and sixty acres 
purchased about one mile from the village. 

The Legislature of 1853 made another appropriation 
from the General Fund of twenty thousand dollars, as a 
loan, and appointed a second Board of Trustees, and made 
it their duty to adopt plans for the buildings, and adver- 
tise for proposals. 

The first Board of Trustees had presented to the Legis- 
lature the plans of two of the most approved institutions 
for the Insane in the United States, but without making 
any specific recommendation. "With a view of obtaining 
the best information, and collecting data which should 
govern their action, the second Board deemed it necessary 
that one or more of their number should visit some of the 
eastern Asylums. Accordingly, the Board deputed one of 
its members to visit some of the best eastern institutions. 
In referring to this subject in their report to the Legisla- 
ture of 1855, the Board remark : " Of existing institutions 
for the Insane in the United States, that established at 
Trenton, New Jersey, a plan of which was submitted to 
the late Board, is probably best adapted, in its general 
features, to the wants of this State ] but the present Board 



140 ASYLUM FOR 

came to the conclusion that none of the existing institu- 
tions combine all the improvements which are important 
to be adopted. It further seemed to them advisable to 
secure the early appointment of the Medical Superintend- 
ent, in order that the building might be erected so far 
under his supervision as to secure his approbation when 
completed. The frequent and expensive repairs of insti- 
tutions erected without such supervision led them to look 
upon this as a matter of the greatest economy. Many of 
the Asylums of the United States were erected according 
to plans furnished by architects only, or by trustees with- 
out practical medical experience, and when supposed to 
by finished, have been found so ill-arranged and defective 
as to call for very large additional expenditures before the 
building could be used." 

Acting upon these suggestions, the Board of Trustees, 
in January, 1854, appointed Dr. John P. G-ray, then Acting 
Superintendent of the New York State Lunatic Asylum. 
to the post of Superintendent. Dr. Gray agreed to devote 
as much of his time and attention to the buildings and fix- 
tures as should be necessary. As early as practicable in 
the following spring, the erection of the centre building 
was commenced, and proceeded with, as energetically as 
possible, until September, when the work was discontinued. 

The Legislature of 1855 made an appropriation of sixty- 
seven thousand dollars to continue the construction of the 
institution, and as soon after as the weather would permit, 
the extreme transverse portion of the south wing was built 
and roofed, with a view of finishing it, together with the 
centre building, for immediate occupation. This course 
seemed very desirable, in order to meet the pressing de- 
mands of the Insane in the State even then awaiting ad- 
mission, but upon consultation with several medical Super- 
intendents of Asylums, it was found to be impracticable. 
A proper classification of patients is the first requisite in 
the care of the Insane, and a curative treatment is in a 



THE INSANE. 141 

measure based thereon. To have finished the limited por- 
tion designated, and opened it for the reception of patients 
as intended, would have been entirely subversive of the 
purposes of the institution. To have assembled patients 
together without the facilities requisite to a proper degree 
of classification ; to have associated the quiet and orderly, 
the melancholy and sensitive, with the raving and boister- 
ous, the filthy and profane, would have made all more 
wretched, and in many confirmed the disease, which 
without such harmful associa,tion might have proved but 
temporary. A proper regard, therefore, for the greatest 
good both of the patients and the institution, induced the 
Trustees to abandon the design, and apply the balance of 
the appropriation to the completion of the remainder of 
the institution. 

In the following year. Dr. Gray was elected to the Su- 
perintendency of the New York State Lunatic Asylum, 
and Dr. E. H. Van Deusen, first Assistant Physician at the 
same institution, was appointed to succeed him in the 
Michigan Asylum. The appointment of Dr. Van Deusen 
is considered a very judicious one. He brings to the ser- 
vice of the institution a long and tried experience, ac- 
quired during an official connection of five years with the 
Xew York State Asylum, at Utica. 

The institutions for the Deaf and Dumb, and the Blind, 
at Flint, and for the Insane, at Kalamazoo, were commenced 
under one Board of Trustees, and continued under a joint 
control until the winter of 1855, when the Legislature ju- 
diciously severed this unnatural connection. The wants 
of the two classes are entirely dissimilar, and there is 
nothing in common between them, except that both are 
under the fostering care, and receive their inmates from 
among the citizens of the same State. In order to save 
the institutions from the loss and embarrassment insepara- 
ble from frequent and entire changes in their management, 
the same Legislature very wisely varied the manner of 



142 ASYLUM FOR 

appointing Trustees, and so arranged it that whenever a 
member of the Board assigned either Asylum should go 
out of office, two would still remain with some experience 
in their official duties. 

The appropriation of 1857 was only $50,000 ; a sum in 
marked contrast with the wants of the institution. Nev- 
ertheless, the Trustees at once set themselves energetically 
to work, and the portions of the building commenced were 
pressed on to completion as rapidly as the limited means 
at their command would permit. 

During the year, the applications for the admission of 
patients were numerous, and many were made under the 
most afflicting circumstances. " The necessity which first 
demanded the erection of an Asylum in the State, had 
yearly become more and more urgent. The causes pro- 
ducing this most afflicting of all diseases had been in con- 
stant and uniform operation, and the number of the insane, 
as shown by statistics, had already more than doubled.'' 
The Trustees considered it their duty to make almost any 
sacrifice that might be required to meet the pressing want. 
They were aware of all the inconveniences and daagers 
which would attend the operation of a partially finished 
institution, but felt that some relief must speedily be af- 
forded the many who were absolutely suffering in various 
parts of the State. 

In February, 1858, the institution sustained a severe loss 
in the destruction of the centre building by fire, whereby 
nearly one-fifth of the portion erected was laid in ruins. 
Every precaution had been used to guard against such an 
accident, and a subsequent investigation showed conclu- 
sively that the fire originated above the second story, and 
was the work of an incendiary. The building is very 
nearly fire-proof — indeed, more nearly so than any other 
Asylum in the world — and it is doubtful whether it could 
have been successfully fired in any other portion. The 
pecuniary loss was estimated at $22,000. The part de- 



THE INSANE. 143 

stroyed, though small as compared with the remainder of 
the structure, serves the most important purposes in the 
economy of the institution. It is the residence and head- 
quarters of the officers ; all accidents and wants are 
reported there, and thence must issue the orders necessary 
for the direction and control of the entire household. 

In this connection, and as thwarting their cherished 
desire of receiving patients at an early day, its loss was 
most deeply felt by the officers. Nevertheless, after care- 
ful and mature deliberation, the Trustees still determined 
to carry their original purpose into execution, and have 
prepared apartments for the reception of eighty-eight 
patients, and their necessary attendants, and this number 
will be received as soon as an appropriation can be se- 
cured for the purchase of furniture. 

The statistics of insanity in Michigan, and the origin and 
history of the Asylum as presented in the successive 
reports of the Trustees, have been given in the preceding 
pages. Before proceeding to a description of the building, 
it may be remarked, that none but those who have had an 
opportunity of acquainting themselves practically with the 
subject, can form any idea of the close study in detail, 
which every part of an institution for the care of the 
Insane requires, and without which, it must necessarily be 
deficient in some important particular. Take for illustra- 
tration an Asylum window. The health and comfort of the 
patient require that it be large, at the same time no sub- 
division must be small enough to allow one's head to pass. 
It must be strong and well guarded, and yet all appearance 
of restraint must be avoided. The sash must be movable, 
and readily opened, and at the same time must be guarded 
against injury by being heavily dropped upon the sill. 
To this end, it must be balanced by a weight, which re- 
quires, as a matter of course, a cord ; but the cord must 
be concealed, and beyond the reach of the patient, or it 



144 ASYLUM FOB 

may be removed and used for purposes of suicide. Thus- 
in every part and appointment of the institution, the 
peculiar character of the inmate must be studied ; and 
while striving to meet each requirement with constant 
attention to strength and durability, everything forbidding"^ 
or unpleasant must be carefully avoided. 

DESCRIPTION OF THE ASYLUM. 

Situation. — The Michigan Asylum for the Insane is sit- 
uated at Kalamazoo, upon the Michigan Central Railroad, 
one hundred and forty-three miles west of Detroit, and 
fifty-one miles southwest of the Capitol at Lansing, The 
location is probably as central and convenient as any that 
could have been chosen, having reference both to the 
present means of communication with the various parts of 
the State, and to any other routes of travel likely to be 
projected hereafter. The site selected for the building is- 
upon an irregular eminence, about one mile from the vil- 
lage, and sufficiently elevated above the valley of the Kal- 
ama,zoo river to secure an extended prospect, and yet well 
sheltered, and easy of access from the plain below. The 
location is in every respect healthful and desirable, and 
well adapted to the purposes and objects of an institution 
for the treatment of mental disease. 

Farm. — The amount of land originally purchased for the 
use of the Asylum was one hundred and sixty acres ; but 
to secure a more desirable site for the buildings, an adja- 
cent tract was subsequently added, making the Avhole 
amount of land in the possession of the institution one 
hundred and sixty-eight acres (167 T6-100ths.) Most of 
this land is finely timbered with the original growth of 
oak, hickory, and other trees, affording every facility 
which could be desired for beautifying the grounds. That 
in the rear of the building is broken, and falls, by a series 
of ravines covered with trees, about eighty feet to the val- 
le^ below, through which flows a small but rapid stre iipa 



THE INSANE. 145 

of pure warer. The buildings themselves will cover an 
area of one and one-third acres. It is designed to pre- 
serve about fifty acres in groves and woodland, with walks 
and drives, and the remainder will be devoted to ordinary 
agricultural purposes. 

General Plan. — The ground plans were furnished by 
Dr. John P. Gray. It might here be remarked, that the 
principles laid down in a series of propositions relative to 
the construction and arrangement of Hospitals for the In- 
sane, unanimously adopted by the " Association of Medi- 
cal Superintendents of American Institutions for the In- 
sane,'' have been fully carried out in the plans adopted by 
the Board. The form and internal arrangement of the In- 
stitution will be readily understood by reference to the 
accompanying grouud-plan. The Asylum building proper, 
the main front of which has an easterly aspect, consists of 
a center and six wings. The center portion of the main 
building. is divided by the entrance hall into two nearly 
equal parts. That to the right contains, in front, the 
principal office of the Institution, the apothecary shop, 
and an ante-room communicating by a private stairway 
w*ith the Superintendent's apartments above ; and in the 
rear, the matron's room and ladies' reception room ; while 
that to the left contains in front the public parlor and offi- 
cers' dining-room, and immediately behind these, the busi- 
ness office and men's reception room. The second floor is 
appropriated exclusively to the use of the Medical Super- 
intendent. Upon the third floor are the apartments of the 
assistant physicians, steward and matron. The basement 
contains the laboratory connected vrith. the apothecary 
shop, and the officers' kitchen and store-rooms. Immedi- 
ately behind the center building is the chapel, and still 
further in the rear the engine and boiler-house. Extend- 
ing from the center building, towards the south for males 
and towards the north for females, are the several wards 

19 



146 



ASYLUM FOR 



of the Institution, nine on each side, including the 
infirmaries. 

Architbctuee. — The plans selected by the Board of 
Trustees were placed in the hands of A. H. Jordan, Archi- 
tect, of Detroit, for the necessary elevations, details, &c. 
The style adopted is the Italian, it being the lightest, 
most cheerful, and least expensive for the effect required 
in such an extensive range of building. 

Materials. — The material used in construction has been 
brick, covered with Roman cement and sand, and finished 
to represent freestone. The window-caps, sills and brack- 
ets, belt- courses and capitals in front, are of white lime- 
stone, from the Athens quarries, near Chicago. The 
division walls throughout are of brick. The Asylum is 
built upon a system of fire-proof construction, nearly all 
the floors being laid upon brick arches sprung from iron 
girders, which besides providing against fire, give addi- 
tional security to the building, and ensure its durability. 

Appropriation of Wards,— The various wards in the 
institution are appropriated as follows : 







No. of 


Number of Beds. 


Total of 
each sex 




Classification. ^^^^^_ 


Single 
Rooms. 


Associated 
Dorm 


and 
Class. 


1 and 2 
3 and 4 
5 and 6 

7 


Convalescent and quiet, 
Less disturbed, ....... 

More disturbed, 

Demented, 


4 
4 
4 

2 
2 
2 


80 
56 
60 
20 
12 
12 


16 
32 


96 
88 
60 
20 


8 

9 


" and infirm,.. . 
Acute cases, &c., (Infir.) 


12 

12 




Total, .............. 


18 


240 


48 


288 ' 



The divisions for the sexes are equal. Eight of these 
wards, inclusive of the infirmaries, are upon the first floor, 
six upon the second, and four upon the third floor of the 
transverse wings. It is considered that by means of these, 
any desirable classification of patients may be readily car' 
ried out. 

Arrangement of Wards. — Each ward has the usual 



THE INSANE. . 147 

arrangement of corridor, sleeping-rooms, day-rooms, and 
dining-room ; with two stair-ways, clothes-room, lavatory, 
bath-room, Avater-closet, soiled clothes-shaft, drying-shaft 
and dust-flue to each. The corridors in the first, second, and 
third wings are respectively one hundred and fifty-five, one 
hundred and sixty, and seventy feet long ; and in the third 
stories of the first and second transverse wings, one hun- 
dred and nineteen, and thirty-four feet long. They are 
uniformly twelve feet wide, and, in common with all other 
rooms, sixteen feet in hight upon the first and third floors, 
and fifteen upon the second. The dimensions of the single 
sleeping-rooms are eight and ten by eleven feet, with an 
average cubic capacity of fourteen hundred feet. The as- 
sociate dormitories are fourteen by twenty-one feet, and the 
parlors, or recreation-rooms, eighteen by twenty. , Lateral 
recesses, extending into the projecting towers in front, 
form additional day-rooms in the first and second wings, on 
either side. The dining-rooms are sufficiently capacious 
to accommodate the number for which they are intended, 
and are supplied with detached sinks, cupboards, and 
dumb waiters. The closets, bath-rooms, lavatories, and 
clothes-rooms open upon an adjacent, and not upon the 
main hall, giving a very desirable privacy. The bath and 
closet fixtures are of approved construction, and, to pre- 
vent all possible danger from leakage, the service-pipes 
are conveyed in a separate pipe-shaft — an arrangement 
which also facilitates and cheapens any repairs that may 
become necessary. Drying-shafts, having lattice-work 
floors, and communicating directly with the ventilating 
cupolas, furnish a ready means of drying mops, wet cloths, 
damp brooms, &c., and thus materially assist in promoting 
the cleanliness and healthfulness of the corridors. To 
prevent exposure, the bath-rooms and lavatories have com- 
municating doors, in order that the latter may serve, on 
"bathing-days," as dressing-rooms to the former. 



14S ASTLUil FOS 



Refeeexces to tee Plate. — A, public parlor ; B, Su- 
perintendent's office ; C. Matron's room ; D, business of- 
fice : EE. reception rooms ; F, officers' dining room ; G-, 
apothecary shop : H, ante-room, communicating by a pri- 
vate stiarway, with the Superintendent's apartments above: 

1. and II. store-rooms ; K, associated dormitories ; L, atten- 
dants' rooms ; M, day and recitation-rooms ; N, patients 
sitting-rooms ; 0, dining-rooms : U, Chapel, having be- 
neath it the kitchen, bakery and store-rooms: 1, boiler-room: 

2. engine and fire-rooms : 3, laiindry ; 4, drying-room ; 
5, ironing-room : 6, Trorkshop : 7. covered corridors. 



UOTE. 

The preceding '■'References to tlte P?aie,'"' contemplate the 
insertion of a ground plan of the Asylum, not in hand at 
the time this form goes to press, but promised by the Offi- 
cers of the Asylum on a separate sheet, in season to be 
bound up "vrith this volume, and facing this page. 




I 



THE INSANE. 1-19 

Infirmaries. — In a detached building, in the rear of the 
first transverse wings, but connected with the wards by 
means of a covered corridor, an infirmar}?- is provided for 
each sex. Fitted up with every convenience, they provide 

very desirable place for the treatment of acute cases, of 
those who are seriously ill, or of any requiring special care 
and frequent medical attention. They can be reached at 
all hours of the night without disturbing any other portion 
of the house ; they provide the means of isolation in case 
of the occurrence of any infectious or contagious diseases in 
the institution, and give to the friends of dying patients an 
opportunity of administering to them in their last moments. 

Windows. — The windows are fitted throughout with a 
cast-iron sash, the upper half of which alone is glazed. 
Posterior to the lower half, and immediately against it, is 
i wooden sash of corresponding size and shape, moving 
free, and suspended by a cord and weight; the former 
being attached to the bottom of the sash, and passing over 
>i pulley near its top, is always entirely concealed. The 
panes of glass are six by nine inches in size. The windows, 
where deemed desirable, are protected by a shutter of 
framed wicker-work, sliding into the wall, and retained 
there, as also in its position, by one and the same lock. 

Floobing. — The floors in all uncarpeted rooms are formed 
of one and one-half inch oak plank, grooved and tongued, 
and none of them being more than three and one-half inches 
in width. The sleepers and the iron girders supporting 
the arches rest upon an offset in the wall, which, when fin- 
ished, also forms the cornice in the room below. 

Peovision against Fire. — The horrible sacrifice of hu- 
man life on the occasion of the burning of an institution 
for the insane in one of the Eastern States, and the peculiar 
liability of these buildings to take fire, as shown by the 
frequent occurrence of such accidents, determined the 
Board of Trustees, although it would somewhat increase 



150 ASYLUM FOR 

the price of construction, to make the Asylum fire-proof. 
The more recent partial destruction by fire of another in- 
stitution has confirmed the wisdom of this decision. The 
use of iron girders and brick arches as support for the 
floors, was consequently determined upon, and to secure 
additional safety, all connection between the wing and the 
centre building is entirely cut off by the interposition of a 
verandah of iron and glass, with communication from one 
to the other only through iron doors. The location of the 
heating apparatus and the kitchen in detached buildings 
under the institution, quite exempt them from danger of 
destruction by fire. 

Chapel. — A separate building immediately in the rear 
of the centre building, seventy by forty feet in size, con- 
tains upon its first floor a room for Chapel purposes, capa- 
ble of seating three hundred and eighty persons. It com- 
municates with the different wards by means of covered 
corridors, is appropriately fitted up, properly warmed, and 
lighted with gas. 

Kitchen. — One central kitchen is intended to supply the 
whole institution. It is placed immediately beneath the 
Chapel room, with store-rooms near at hand, and commu- 
nicates with the dumb-waiters 'of the different dining-rooms, 
by means of a small car moving upon a covered railway. 
The building containing the Chapel room and kitchen is 
surmounted by a bell and clock tower. 

"Warming and Yentilation. — It is now admitted as a 
principle that the warming and ventilation of buildings 
corresponding in size and purpose with institutions for the 
insane, should be efi"ected by one and the same process ; 
and also, that means should be adopted for expelling the 
foul air to the same extent and simultaneously with the 
admission of fresh. The fact is also established, and in 
many Asylums has been confirmed by a costly experience, 
that the ordinary system of making the ventilation depend 



THE INSANE. 151 

upon the spontaneous action of "svarm air currents, has failed 
to give satisfactory results. A perfect and equable distri- 
bution of fresh air, either warm or cold, or the necessary 
rapidity in the discharge of foul air, under all circumstan- 
ces and iji all seasons, can be secured only by a system of 
forced ventilation. This is found to be most efficiently and 
economically effected by means of a fan driven by a steam 
engine ; effectual, because at all times under perfect con- 
trol, and economical, because the warm air is more thor- 
oughly and rapidly distributed. The primary cost is not 
great ; it is not liable to get out of order, and the motive 
power is that required for other purposes. 

The system decided upon is a modification of that in use 
at the New York State Lunatic Asylum, the efficiency of 
which is shown by the fact that in ten similar institutions 
in other States it has since been adopted, in place of fur- 
naces and other means of heating and ventilation already 
in operation. It consists of boilers, an engine, a fan, heat- 
ing surface, and distributing-ducts and inlet-flues, with exit- 
flues, foul-air ducts, and ventilating cupolas. The boilers 
are four in number ; these, with the engine and fan, (the 
latter peculiar, from the circumstance of its delivering the 
air in the direction of its axis,) are all in a separate and de- 
tached building. The air, after its delivery from the fan, 
passes directly forward beneath the chapel. The main duct 
conveying it gives off a small branch to the chapel, and 
another to the centre building. It then branches toward 
either wing, and another sub-division is made, one portion 
passing beneath the first longitudinal wing, and the other, 
entering the proximal end of the second wing, passes on to 
the end of the extreme wing. The air-passage beneath the 
building occupies the centre of the middle portion of the 
basement, or rather, the space immediately, beneath the 
floors of the corridors, and the distributing flues pass up in 
the Avails upon either side of them. The heating surface 
consisting of a series of wrought iron pipe, one inch in di- 



152 



ASYLUM FOR 



ameter, is placed in narrow chambers on either side of the 
air-chamber. Exit-flues are carried up in the same walls, 
taking their departure from two points, one near the ceil- 
ing, and the other near the floor of the rooms on either 
side. These again conjoin in the attics to form the foul-air 
ducts, and empty out into the open air through the venti- 
lating cupolas. Downward currents of air, for the venti- 
lation of the water-closets, will be secured in the usual 
manner. This very important department has been in- 
trusted to Joseph Nason, Esq., of New York City. 

Water. — Water is forced up to the institution through a 
cast-iron pipe three inches in diamater, from a stream flow- 
ing in the valley immediately in the rear of the building. 

Cost. — It is estimated, and the experience thus far ac- 
quired in the progress of construction has shown the esti- 
mate to be a liberal one, that the entire cost of the insti- 
tution, with all necessary out-buildings, farm implements, 
farm stock, fences, gas-fixtures and pipes, a complete sys- 
tem of drainage and sewerage, warming and ventilating, 
and furnished throughout, ready for the occupation of two 
hundred and eighty-eight patients, will be about three 
hundred and thirty thousand dollars. 

Of the sum thus stated as the entire cost of the estab- 
lishment, the amount properly belonging to the eost of erec- 
tim would be $270,000. 

For the purpose of comparing this with the cost of sim- 
lar institutions in other States, the following table is sub- 
joined : 



Name of Asjlom. 



Land. 



State Lunatic Asylum, Utica, New York, |130 acres. 

Maryland Hospital, Baltimore, ..,,.,. 13 '* 

McLean Asylum ,Somerv"ille, Massachusetts, i 32 " 



Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia,, 

Friends" Asylum, Frankfort, Pa... 

State liunatic Asylum, Trenton, New Jereej,. 

Maine Hospital for the Insane, 

Mt. Hope Institution, Baltimore, Maxyland,.. 

Butler Hospital, Providence, R. 1, 

State Lunatic Asylum, Taunton, Mass., 



113 
62 

100 

116 
18 

U5 

lao 



OaiWMjltf. 



Cost. 



440 patients. 

130 " 

200 " 

330 '* 

60 " 

2S0 " 

178 " 

120 <^ 

140 " 

2W ^' 



$517,400 GO 
213,600 00 
321 ',000 00 
330,000 00 
85,598 00 
250,000 00 
150,712 00 
100,000 00 
116,000 Oo 
250,000 00 



Experience in the erection of Asylums for the Insane, 



THE INSANE. 153 

both in this country and elsewhere, has shown that the 
average cost of such institutions is about one thousand dol- 
lars for each patient accommodated ; though in several of 
the larger Asylums in the United States, it has been much 
greater. In the Michigan Asylum, it will be observed that 
the cost has not exceeded this average. 

Reviewing the architectural details of the building, and 
its general arrangement, and recollecting that the amount 
of- cubic space allotted to each patient, is about one- third 
more than usual ; that the number accommodated in single, 
instead of associated dormitories, is proportionably greater, 
(being 214 of the whole number ;) also, that the estimate 
includes the erection of a well arranged infirmary for each 
sex, external to the walls, (a very important feature, pecu- 
liar to this institution, though common to all recently 
erected Asylums in England,) it will be observed that the 
plan is most complete, and embraces all the modern im- 
provements. * 

•The following is an extract from a recent article in the 
editorial department of the "Peninsular and Indepen- 
dent Medical Joubnal," published at Detroit. 

" That our readers may know how our State Asylum is 
regarded by those who have studied its construction, on 
the other side of the Atlantic, we subjoin the following ex- 
tract from the Dublin Medical Quarterly : 

" ' Great good sense was shown respecting the Michigan 
Asylum, at the commencement, by the appointment of an 
experienced Medical Superintendent. This was done with 
the view of the building being erected so far under his su- 
pervision as to secure his approbation when finished, than 
which nothing could have been more judicious. And an- 
other and equally wise course was carried out, that of taking 
as a basis of action the principles embodied in the series 
of propositions adopted by the Assoc, of Med. Superinten- 
dents of American Institutions for the Insane ; which we 
20 



154 ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE. 

considered sufficiently important and practical at the time 
of their publication, to transcribe in extenso into our Annual 
Review on Insanity in 1851. We wisli our authorities at 
home would take a lesson from our far-seeing trans-Atlan- 
tic brethren, in such matters, 

"'In the appropriation of the wards, we find that the 
greater portion of accommodation consists in single rooms, 
there being as many as two hundred and forty, leaving but 
forty-eight to be located in dormitories. This is in the op- 
posite degree to what prevails in these countries, the Asy- 
lums in which, we consider, are entirely too much limited 
in single rooms, and too abundant in dormitories. But this 
is done for economy, which is an injurious and mistaken 
one of its kind, and but ill calculated to promote either the 
recovery or comfort of the patients. 

" * Altogether, this Asylum will be, from all appearances, 
most complete in its several arrangements — in fact, will be 
a model one for the New as well as the Old "World !' 

"It will be seen by this extract that Michigan not only 
excels in her educational institutions, but that her Insane 
Asylum is an acknowledged model, not only for the New 
but the Old World." 

OFFICERS. 

Charles T. Gorham, Esq., President of Board of Trustees. 
I. P. Woodbury, Esq., Secretary of Board of Trustees. 
Henry Montague, Esq., Acting Commissioner. 
■ B. H. Yan Deusen, M. D., Medical Superintendent. 



i=» .A. n. "3? XX. 

Constitutional Provisions relating to Education; 

Duties of Superintendent of Public Instruction; 

Laws relating to Primary Schools: 

Provisions for Libraries and Lyceums; 

Teachers' Associations and Teachers' Institutes; 

The State Normal School; 

The University of Michigan; 

Agricultural College op Michigan: 

Incorporated Institutions of Learning; 

Instructions for conducting Proceedings under the 
Primary School Laws. 



PROVISIONS OF THE CONSTITUTION 
RELATIVE TO EDUCATION. 



Article Thirteen of the Coustitutiou of Michigan, under 
the head " Education," makes the following provisions : 

Section 1. The Superintendent of Public Instruction supenntcn- 

^ dent. 

shall have the general supervision of public instruction, 
and his duties shall be prescribed by law. 

Sec. 2. The proceeds from the sales' of all lands that ^'=1'^°' ^und 
have been or hereafter may be granted by the United 
States to the State, for educational purposes, and the pro- 
ceeds of all lands or other property given by individuals, 
or appropriated by the State for like purposes, shall be 
and remain a perpetual fund, the interest and income of Perpetual. 
which, together with the rents of all such lands as may 
remain unsold, shall be inviolably appropriated and annu- 
ally applied to the specific objects of the original gift, 
grant or appropriation. 

Sec. 3. All lands, the titles to which shall fail from a de- Escheats.- 
feet of heirs, shall escheat to the State ; and the interest 
on the clear proceeds from the sales thereof, shall be ap- 
propriated exclusively to the support of Primary Schools. 

Sec. 4. The Legislature shall, within five years from the Free schools 
adoption of this Constitution, provide for and establish a 
system of Primary Schools, whereby a School shall be 
kept without charge for tuition, at least three months in 
each year, in every School District in the State; and all 
instruction in said Schools shall be conducted in the Eng- 
lish language, (i) 

(1) The Legislature has not, as yet. fully complied with the requirements of this Section. 



158 ■ OONSTITUTiONAL PROVISIONS 

Dist. schools Sec. 5. A School shall be maintained in each School Dis- 
trict at least three months in each year. Any School Dis- 

Penaity. trict neglecting to maintain such School, shall be deprived 
for the ensuing year of its proportion of the income of the 
Primar}^ School Fund, and of all funds arising from taxes 
for the support of Schools. 

Election of Sec. 6. There ghall be elected in each iudicial circuit, 

Regents of . 

University. Q^f^ -j^jjg ^j^q ^f -j^j^g eloction of tho Judge of such circuit, a 
Regent of the University, whose term of office shall be 
the same as that of such Judge. The Regents thus elected 
shall constitute the Board of Regents of the University of 
Michigan. 

Regents a Soc. 7. The Res'ents of the University, and their suc- 

body corpo- " 

rate. cossors in office, shall continue to constitute the body cor- 

porate, known by the name and title of " The Regents of 
the University of Michigan." 

Reg'ts elect Sec. 8. The Regents of the University shall, at their 

President of , ip ii^ 

University, first amiual meetnig, or as soon thereafter as may be, elect 
a President of the University, who shall be ex-o^cio a mem- 
ber of their board, with the privilege of speaking, but not 
of voting. He shall preside at the meetings of the Re- 
gents, and be the principal executive officer of the Uni- 

Supervison. vorsity. The Board of Regents shall have the general 
supervision of the University, and the direction and con- 
trol of all expenditures from the University Interest Pund, 

state Board Sec. 9. There shall be elected at the general election in 
the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-two, three 
members of a State Board of Education, — one for two years, 
one for four years, and one for six year« ; and at each suc- 
ceeding biennial election there, shall be elected one mem- 
ber of such Board, who shall hold his office for six years. 
The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall be ex-offtdo 
a member and Secretary ofc such Board. The Board shall 
have the general supervision of the State Normal School, 
and their duties shall be prescribed by law. 



RELATING TO EDUCATION. 159 

Sec. 10. Institutions for the benefit of those iFihabitauts Asjiums. 
who are deaf, dumb, blind or insane, shall always be fos- 
tered and supported. 

Sec. 11. The Leo-islature shall encourage the promotion ^gncuuurai 

■=■ . School, .i^, 

of intellectual, scientific and agricultural improvement; 
and shall, as soon as practicable, provide for the establish- 
ment of an Agricultural School. The Legislature may ap- 
propriate the twenty-two sections of salt spring lands now 
unappropriated, or the money arising from the sale of the 
same, where such lands have been already sold, and any 
land which may hereafter be granted or appropriated for 
such purpose, for the support and maintenance of such 
School, and may make the same a branch of the Univer- 
sity, for instruction in agriculture and the natural sciences 
connected therewith, and place the same under the super- 
vision of the Regents of the University. (i) 

Sec. 12. The Legislature shall also provide for tiie es- Township 

" _ Libraries. 

tablishment of at least one library in each township ; and 
all fines assessed and collected in the several counties and 
townships for any breach of the penal laws, shall be ex- 
clusively applied to the support of such libraries. 

0) The A'^ricultural College, as organireil^iseatirely distinct from the SUte Univsrsity. 



SUPE-RINTENDBNT OF P U B L-I C 
INSTRUCTION, 



By an Act approved April 4th, 1851, (page 708 Com- 
piled Laws,) the duties of the Superintendent of Public 
Instruction are thus defined : 

superinten- Sectiou 1. The Superintendent of Public Instruction 

dent to have 

general su-ghall have general supervision of Public Instruction, and 

pervision of ° J^ ' 

ftructioS" i^ shall be his duty, among other things, to prepare an- 
Aimuai Ee-nually and transmit a report to the Governor, to be trans- 
mitted by him to the Legislature at each biennial session 
thereof, coniaining : 

1. A statement of the condition of the University, and 
its branches, of all incorporate Literary Institutions, and 
of the Primary Schools ; 

2. Estimates ai,rrd amounts of expenditures of the School 
money : 

3. Plans for the improvement and management of ail 
educational funds, and for the better organization of the ed- 
ucational system, if in his opinion the same be required ; 

4. The condition of the Normal School ; 

5. All such other matters relating to his office, and the 
subject of Education generally, as he shall deem expedient 
to communicate. 

Report to Sec. 2. He shall make all necessary abstracts of the 

embody ab- 

^orte^of In" ^®Po^^s of School luspectors, transmitted to him by the 
specters, clcrks, and embody so much of the same in his report as 
may be necessary. 

Sec, 3. He shall prepare and cause to be printed, with 



SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 161 

the laws relating to Primary Schools, all necessary forms, to prepare 

" ^7 jQrms, regu- 

regulationa and instruments for conducting all proceedings 1?^^^^;^^®^^°' 
under said laws, and transmit the same with such instruc- °^''*"" 
tions relative to the organization and government of such 
Schools, and the course of studies to be pursued therein, 
as he may deem advisable, to the several officers entrusted 
with their care and management. 

Sec. 4. School laws, forms, regulations and instructions school lawg, 
shall be printed in pamphlet form, with a proper index, to be'print- 
and shall have also annexed thereto a list of such books as 
the Superintendent shall think best adapted to the use of 
the Primary Schools, and a list of books suitable for town- 
ship libraries, with such rules as he may think proper for 
the government of such libraries. 

Sec. 5. He shall annually, on receiving notice from the Apponion- 
Auditor General of the amounts thereof, apportion the™*''y^^°o' 

' rf Fund. 

income of the Primary School Fund among the several 
townships and cities of the State, in proportion to the 
number of scholars in each between the age of four and 
eighteen years, as the same shall appear by the reports of 
the several Township Inspectors of Primary Schools, made 
to him for the year last closed. 

Sec. 6. He shall prepare annually a statement of theTofumish 
amount, in the aggregate, payable to each county in the ^^^1"^^' 
State from the income of the Primary School Fund, and™*"*"/ ""* 

•/ ' amou't pay- 

shall deliver the same to the Auditor General, who shall coint^.^'''' 
thereupon draw his warrant upon the State Treasurer in 
favor of each county for the amount payable to such 
county. 

Sec. 7. He shall also send written notices to the clerks Notice to 
of the several counties, of the amount in the aggregate, to amount to 

. 00 o > bediabara- 

be disbursed in their respective counties, and the amount *'i •" «ach 

■*■ county. 

payable to the townships therein respectively ; which 
notice shall be disposed of as directed by an act entitled, 
"An Act to amend Chapter fifty-eight of the Revised 

21 



162 SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 

Statutes of one thousand eight hundred and forty-six," 
approved March twenty-eight, one thousand eight hundred 

and fifty.C) 
Sates of ap- Sec. 8. Whenever the returns from any county, town- 

portion- 

ment, how^ sMp or city, upou which a statement of the amount to be 
Sfts defec- disburssd or paid to any such county, township or city, shall 
^'^®" be so far defective as to render it impracticable to ascer- 

tain the share of public moneys which ought to be disbursed 
or paid to such county, township or city, he shall ascertain, 
by the best evidence in his power, the facts upon which 
the ratio of such apportionment shall depend, and shall 
make the apportionment accordingly, 
la wiiat ca- Sec. 9. Whenever, by accident, mistake, or any other 
cy may be causc, the rotums from any county, township or city, upon 

apportioned ' j ^ i x ^ x 

the next ^hich a statement of the amount to be disbursed to anv 

year. " 

such county, township or city, shall not contain the whole 
number of scholars in such county, township or city, be- 
tween the age of four and eighteen years, and entitled to 
draw money from said fund, by which any such county, 
township or city, shall fail to have apportioned to it the 
amount to which it shall justly be entitled, the Superin- 
tendent, on receiving satisfactory proof thereof, shall ap- 
portion such deficiency to such county, township or city, 
in his next annual apportionment ; and the conditions of 
this section shall extend to all cases which accrue in the 
year one thousand eight hundred and fifty. 
Interest on Soc. 10. Upou all sums paid into the State Treasury 

Sdueational r s: 

eZ'^ute^d"^ upon account of the principal of any of the educational 
and how fu^dg^ except where the provision is or shall be made by 
law, the Treasurer shall compute interest from the time of 
such payment, or from the time of the last computation of 
interest thereon, to the first Monday of April in each and 
every year, and shall give credit therefor to each and 
every School fund, as the case may be ; and such interest 
shall be paid out of the general fund. 

(1) Section 112, Primary Schools. 



SUPBBINTENDENT OP PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 163 

Sec. 11. The Superintendent shall, at the expiration of i^upermtea 
his term of office, deliver over, on demand, to his successor, f^P'i*''™ of 

' ' ' ' hiB term to 

all property, books, documents, maps, records, reports, and gucJeLw 
all other papers belonging to his office, or which may have ^r^fet^c* 
been received by him for the use of his office. 

Sec. 12. Chapter fifty-six of the Revised Statutes of one cefta'V"" 

* •' ■■ actments 

thousand eight hundred and forty-six, and an act to amend r ^^ofigie 
said chapter fifty-six, approved March] twenty-ninth. one?8M%a'8i 
thousand eight hundred and fifty, are]hereby repealed. 



PEIMARY SCHOOL LAW, (*) 

WITH NOTES AND INSTRUCTIONS BY THE SUPERINTENDENT OF 
PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 



DISTRICTS. 

wiennew Section 1. Whenever the Board of School Inspectors of 
iormld '^ any township shall form a School District therein, it shall 
a^to^de- ^® the duty of the Clerk of such Board to deliver to a tax- 
fiver notice ble inhabitant of such District a notice in writing of the 
«hawtent. formation of such District, describing its boundaries, and 
specifying the time and place of the first meeting, which 
notice, with the fact of such delivery, shall be entered 
upon the record by the Clerk. 
inhabitant Soc. 2. The Said notice shall also direct such inhabitant 
to serve no- ^^ notify evory qualified voter of such district, either per- 
sonally or by leaving a written notice at his place of resi- 
dence, of the time and place of said meeting, at least five 
Duty to days before the time appointed therefor ; and it shall be 
Becto)n*i29. the duty of such inhabitant to notify the qualified voters 

of said district accordingly. 
Mt^ *** ^®^- ^' ^^^ ^^^^ inhabitant, when he shall have notified 
the qualified voters as required in such notice, shall en- 
dorse thereon a return, showing such notification, with the 
date or dates thereof, and deliver such notice and return 
to the Chairman of the meeting, 
^te** Tb ^®°' ^* ^^^ ^^^^ Chairman shall deliver such notice and 
receded. * rotum to the Director chosen at such meeting, who shall 
record the same at length in a book to be provided by him, 
at the expense of the District, as a part of the records of 
such District. 

{Sections 1-4.) 1. Any taxable inhabitant who shall re- 
ceive the notice mentioned in sections 1 and 2, and shall 
refuse or neglect duly to serve such notice, incurs a pen- 
alty of five dollars. The Chairman of the first meeting, 

(*) See Compaed Laws, chapter 78. 



PBIMARY SCHOOL LAW. l(Sf» 

See. 5. The qualified voters of such, district, when as- Eieotiaa •£ 
sembled pursuant to such previous notice, and all existing **®'^®"" 
districts, at their annual meeting in the year one thousand 
eight hundred and fifty-nine, shall elect from the residents 
of such districts, a moderator for three years, a director 
for two years, and an assessor for one year ; and on the 
expiration of their respective terms of office, the several 

under the notice, also incurs a like penalty of five dol- 
lars, for any neglect of the duty prescribed for him by sec- 
tion 4. 

2. The omission to notify one or several persons not 
known to be residents of the district, will not invalidate 
the action of the majority of the legal voters in organizing 
the district. 

3. The returns endorsed upon the notice, or attached to 
it, must show the names of all the persons notified, and the 
date of each one's notification. 

4. The term ''qualified voters," is defined by section 
144, passed February, 1855, "to mean and include all taxa- 
ble persons residing in the district, of the age of twenty-one 
years, and who have resided therein for the period ot three 
months next preceding the time of voting." It therefore 
includes both males and females, citizens and foreigners, 
without distinction of color, who have the foregoing quali- 
fications. 

{Section 5.) This section reads as amended February, 
15, 1859. The language is somewhat inaccurate and ob- 
scure. 

1. The qualified voters, having assembled, should organ- 
ize the meeting by choosing a Chairman and Clerk, and 
the person holding the notice and" return for the meeting, 
should deliver the same to the Chairman. 

2. The intention of the law, as amended, is that after the 
first instance, all district officers shall be elected for three 
years each, and that only one shall be elected each year, 
except in case of vacancies. Thus when the term of office 



PBIMARY SCHOOL LAW. 

school districts shall severally elect the officer whose term 
of office is then about to expire, for the term of three years, 
or for the unexpired portion of his term. Within ten days 
after their election they shall severally file with the di- 
rector a written acceptance of the offices to which they 
have been elected, which shall be recorded by the said 
director. 



of the first Assessor, which is but one year, shall expire, 
his successor shall be elected for three years. The first 
Director's term of office will expire with the second year, 
when his successor must be elected for three years. 

3. Should any district office become vacant before the 
expiration of the three years, a new officer must be elected 
to serve out the unexpired term. 

4. As the law provides that the annual meeting of each 
School District shall be held the last Monday of September, 
the time intervening between the first meeting of a newly 
organized District, and the last Monday in the following 
September, must be counted as one year in the terms of 
office. 

5. As the officers elect of a newly organized District, 
must file their acceptance with the Director, he must ne- 
cessarily file and record his own acceptance. This case of 
an officer filing his acceptance with himself will also occur 
whenever the same Director is elected two terms in suc- 
cession. In ordinary cases the new Director should file 
his acceptance with the old Director, he being in fact the 
Director of the District till superseded by his successor's 
acceptance. An informality in this respect will not, how- 
ever, invalidate the election. 

6. Section 145, passed in 1855, provides that in case the 
qualified voters of a newly formed District fail to elect dis- 
trict officers, the Township Board of School Inspectors 
shall appoint such officers. 

7. A majority of the qualified voters voting is necessary 
to a valid election of any officer. The theory of our in- 



PRIMARY SCHOOL LAW. 167 

Sec. 6. Every such School District shall be deemed duly when dis- 
organized, when any two of the officers elected at the first organized. 
meeting shall have filed their acceptance as aforesaid. 

Sec. 7. In case the inhabitants of any District shall fail ^^^aBTof"' 
to organize the same in pursuance of such notice as afore- failure to or- 
said, the said Clerk shall give a new notice in the manner ^''°'^®' 
hereinbefore provided, and the same proceedings shall be 
had thereon as if no previous notice had been delivered. 

Sec. 8. Every School District organized in pursuance of 

stitutions is that the majority rule., An election by a^Zw- 
rcdity vote (a vote in which one candidate has more votes , 
than any other one, but not a majority of all the votes 
cast) can only be made valid by a special provision of law, 
such as provides for our State, county and township elec- 
tions. The reason for such a provision in the case of 
those elections, is obvious ; it being better that a less 
number than a majority of all the votes should decide 
the question than that the whole town or county should 
be put to the trouble and expense of a new election. 
This reason does not exist in the case of a School District, 
since the voters can easily repeat the voting several times 
in the same meeting. The Attorney General and several 
other eminent lawyers oi this State, concur in the opinion 
that a majority ot all the votes are necessary to a valid 
election. 

{Section 6.) Should the officers elected be present and 
file their acceptances, the District may be considered duly 
organized ; but it has been held that, as the meeting was 
called for the sole purpose of organizing, no further busi- 
ness can be transacted. A special meeting should be 
called, as provided in Section 12, to transact whatever 
business may be necessary for the establishment of the 
School. 

Persons elected to District offices, and neglecting or re- 
fusing, without sufficient cause, to file their acceptance or 
serve in office, forfeit the sum of ten dollars. 



168 PRIMARY SCHOOL LAW. 

S^weTof ^^^^ chapter, or which has been organized and continued 
Districts, under any previous law of the State or Territory of Michi- 
gan, shall be a body corporate, and shall possess the usual 
powers of a corporation for public purposes, by the name 
and style of " School District Number (such num- 

ber as shall be designated in the formation thereof by the 
Inspectors), of ," (the name of the township 

or townships in which the district is situated), and in that 
name shall be capable of suing and being sued, and of 
holding such real and personal estate as is authorized to 
be purchased by the provisions of this chapter, and of sell- 
ing the same. 
I^ector^ Sec. 9. The record made by the Director, as required in 
fence. ^"' the fourth section of this chapter, shall be lorimafade evi- 
dence of the facts therein set forth, and of the legality of 
all proceedings in the organization of the District prior to 
the first District meeting ; but nothing in this section con- 
tained shall be so construed as to impair the effect of the 
record kept by the School Inspectors, as evidence. 
presumpti'ii Seo, 10, Evcry School District shall, in all cases, be pre- 
gan?ftionf' sumed to have been^ legally organized, when it shall have 
exercised the franchises and privileges of a District for the 
term of two years. 

DISTBICT MEETINGS. 

^^ji.a'-^ Sec. 11. The annual meeting of each School District 

shall be held on the last Monday of September in each 
year, and the School year shall commence on that day. 

{Section 11.) This was erroneously printed ^^ first Mon- 
day,'' in the Compiled Laws. 

If the business requires, the qualified voters present 
may adjourn the annual meeting to some subsequent day, 
and such adjourned meeting is still to be considered as the 
annual meeting, and authorized to do whatever is lawful 
to be done at any annual meeting. A notice of the time 
and place of the adjourned meeting should be posted by 
the Director as required for any other meeting ; but a 
failure, without fraudulent intention, to post such notice, 
will not render the meeting illegal. 

There are certain powers belonging to the annual meet- 
ing, which cannot be exercised by a special meeting. See 
Section 24. 



ineetmg 



PBIMABY SCHOOL LAW. 169 

Sec. 12. Special meetings may be called by the District special 
Board, or by any one of them, on the written request of ™*"^ ""^ 
any five legal voters of the District, by giving the notice 
required in the next succeeding section, and in all notices 
of special meetings the object of the meeting shall be 
stated. 

Sec. 13. All notices of annual or special District meet- Noticeof 
ings, after the first meeting has been held as aforesaid, ■"''''*"*8*'- 
shall specify the day and hour, and place of meeting, and 
sliall be given at least six days previous to such meeting, 
by posting up copies thereof in three of the most public 
places in the District; and in case of any special meeting 
called for the purpose of establishing or changing the site 
of a School-house, such notice shall be given at least ten 
days previous thereto. 

Sec. 14. No district meeting shall be deemed illegal for whea moet- 
want of due notice, unless it shall appear that the omission g^\fyf^^lt 
to give such notice was willful and fraudulent. °f '*°*'*^^- 

Sec. 15. Every white male inhabitant of the age of twen- who enti- 
ty-one years, residing in the District and liable to pay a ^ °^*' 
School District tax therein, shall be entitled to vote at any 
District meeting. 

{Section 12.) No object can be properly brought before 
a special meeting for its action thereon, which was not 
mentioned in the notice. The notice of the meeting should 
embrace the objects mentioned in the written request of 
the legal voters. 

{Sections 13 and 14.) This " want of due notice" must not 
be construed to legalize a special meeting held without any 
notice. As the law itself appoints the time of the annual 
meeting, the qualified voters may assemble at the usual 
place and time and transact the ordinary business of the 
annual meeting, even though no other notice has been 
given of such meeting ; but it would be safer to adjourn 
the meeting to some subsequent time, and to transact no 
business of importance whenever it may be suspected that 
the omission to give notice was willful and fraudulent. 

{Sections 15, 16 and 17.) This description of a qualified 
voter is materially changed by section 144. See note 4 on 



170 PEIMAEY SCHOOL LAW. 

ohauenges Sec. 16. If any person offering to vote at a School Dis- 
^Mkfg'^o trict meeting shall be challenged as unqualified, by any 
vote; legal voter in such District, the chairman presiding at such 
meeting shall declare to the person challenged the qualifi- 
cations of a voter, and if such person shall state that he is 
qualified, and the challenge shall not be withdrawn, the 
said chairman shall tender to him an oath in substance as 
Oath. follows : " You do swear (or affirm) that you are twenty-one 
years of age, that you are an actual resident of this School 
District, and liable to pay a School District tax therein ;" 
and every person taking such oath, shall be permitted to 
vote on all questions proposed at such meeting. 
fo^'blTelm- ^^^' •^'^' ^^ ^^y person so challenged shall refuse to take 
ed perjury, such oath, his vote shall be rejected, and any person who 
shall wilfully take a false oath, or make a false affirmation 
under the provisions of the preceding section, shall be 
deemed guilty of perjury. 
When chai- Sec. 18. Whou any question is taken in any other man 
be° m^e^in I!©!" than by ballot, a challenge immediately after the vote 
certain ca- j^^s been taken, shall be deemed to be made when offering 

to vote, and treated in the same manner. 
Powers of gee. 19. The qualified voters in such School District 
when lawfully assembled, shall have power to adjourn from 
time to time, as may be necessary ; to designate a site for 
a School-house, by a vote of two-thirds of those present, 
and to change the same by a similar vote at any regular 
meeting. 

Sec. 20. When no site can be established by such inhab- 
itants as aforesaid, the School Inspectors of the township 

sections 1-4. The oath must be modified, accordingly, by 
adding the words: "and that you have resided therein for 
the last three months." 

2. When any vote is received on the oath or affirmation 
of the voter, the name of such voter, together with a state- 
ment of his having sworn or affirmed his right to vote, 
should be entered in the record of the meeting. 

{Sections 19 and 20.) 1. The site should be designated 
by its boundaries ; or, if this is impracticable, by general 
description ; and the quantity of land should be agreed 
upon. At least an acre of ground should, if practicable^ 
be procured for this purpose, and the location should, as 



PEIMAET SCHOOL LAW. 171 

or townships in which the district is situated shall deter- when in- 
mine where such site shall be, and their determination aetermLe 
shall be certified to the Director of the District, and shall ^'^^J'q^i 
be final, subject to alteration afterwards by the Inspectors House, 
only, if necessary. 

Sec. 21. The said qualified voters shall also have power Qualified vo. 
at any such meeting to direct the purchasing or leasing of rictpr^ 
an appropriate site, and the building, hiring, or purchasing <=^^siiigof 

we value the health and lives of our children, be elevated 
and dry. 

2. When the inhabitants cannot agree upon a site, the 
Director should immediately notify the Inspectors of the 
fact. 

3. It is provided by Section 152, passed in 1855, that in 
case of Districts having more than 300 children, when 
two-thirds of the voters cannot agree upon a site, a ma- 
jority of the voters present may instruct the District 
Board to locate such site. 

{Section 21.) 1. For limitations of power to lease sites 
and build School-house, see section 59. 

2. This section reads as amended in 1855. It provides 
three distinct methods of raising fuel for the Schools ; — 
Ist. By apportionment to persons having scholars to send 
to School, of the amount of wood to be delivered by each 
at the School-house. 2d. By assessing to such persons, on 
rate bill, money suflScient to purchase a supply of fuel ; 
and 3d. By raising by tax on the taxable property of the 
District, a sum necessary for this purpose. The voters 
should determine by vote which of these methods shall be 
adopted. Much evil has heretofore been experienced from 
the scanty and irregular supply of wood, the school not 
unfrequently being dismissed for days on account of the 
neglect of some one whose turn it is to furnish fuel. The 
school is often moreover made uncomfortable, and seriously 
impaired in its usefulness, by the poor and unfit character 



PRIMARY SCHOOL LAW. 

of a School-house, and the amount of fuel to be furnished, 
and the time and mode of furnishing it for the succeeding 
year ; whether by apportionment to persons having schol- 
ars to send to such School, in wood, to be delivered at the 
School-house, or in money, to be assessed on a rate bill, or 
by a tax on the property of the District, and to impose 
such tax as may be sufficient for the payment thereof, 
subject to the limitation contained in the succeeding sec- 
tion. 

of the fuel furnished, half of the day passing before the 
Schoolroom can be properly warmed. 

3. It is doubtless convenient, in the newer districts, 
where wood abounds, for parents to famish the wood 
rather than money to buy it ; but in case this plan is voted, 
the District may properly direct that all the wood shall be 
'delivered before the opening of the School, so that it may 
be properly prepared and piled, convenient for use. It 
should also be stipulated that the wood shall be sound and 
well seasoned. 

Section 40 instructs the Director to make the apportion- 
ment of fuel to be furnished, and to notify the parties of 
the time for its delivery at the School-house. If not deliv- 
ered, as required, it shall be furnished by the Director and 
charged to the delinquent in the rate bill. 

4. In case the second plan is adopted, the District 
should direct the purchase of the wood, and the Direc- 
tor should divide the cost thereof among the persons 
having scholars to send to school, and add the amount as- 
sessed to each person, to the amount assessed to such per- 
son on the rate bill for that term. The Director may, if 
he chooses, accept wood from any person liable to such as- 
sessment, instead of the proportion of money due from 
such person. It is believed that, in most cases, the third 
method will be most economical and least liable to occasion 
disputes. 

5. In assessing the amount of wood to be furnished, in- 
digent persons should be exempted. See Sec. 58. 



PRIMARY SCHOOL LAW. 1T3 

Sec. 22. The amount of taxes to be raised in any District imitation 
for the purpose of purchasing or building u School-bouse, scho^i 
shall not exceed the sum of two hundred dollars in any ^°""''' ''*'^- 
one year, unless there shall be more than thirty scholars 
residing therein, between the ages of four »nd eigliteen 
years ; and the amount thereof shall not exceed three 
hundred dollars in any one year, unless there shall be more 
than fifty scholars residing in the District between the 
ages last aforesaid ; and no sum shall be raised exceeding 
one hundred and eighty dollars, for the purpose of building 
or purchasing a School-house of less dimensions than 
twenty-four feet by thirty feet, and ten feet between floors ; 
nor exceeding seventy-five dollars for the purpose of 
building or purchasing a School-house constructed of 
round or hewn logs. 

Sec. 23. Such qualified voters, when assembled a*? afore- Tax lor ro- 
said, may from time to time impose such tax as shall be fo'r'^ap'para- 
necessary to keep their School-house in repair, and to pro- Jj"^'Jj\''^l,|^°/i 
vide the necessary appendages, and to pay and discharge 
any debts or liabilities of the District lawfully incurred; 
and in Districts containing more than fifty scholars between 
the ages of four and eighteen years, may raise a sum not 
exceeding twenty dollars in any one year for the purchase 
of globes, maps, or any apparatus for the purpoi^e of illus- 
trating the principles of astronomy, natural philosophy, 
and agricultural chemistry or the mechanic arts. 

{Section 22.) 1. Although the amount which may be 
raised in any year is limited, in Districts having less than 
fifty scholars, it is not designed that the cost of the School- 
house shall be limited to the sum thus raised in a single 
year. The District may raise the sum authorized, for sev- 
eral years in succession, till a sufficient sum is raised to 
erect such a house as may bo required. 

2. Districts having more than fifty scholars are not 
limited as to the amount they may raise in any one year. 

3. Districts having more than three hundred scholars, 
are authorized by Section 165, (passed in 1855,) to borrow 
money to the amount of $15,000, to purchase sites and 
build a Union School-house. 

{Section 23.) 1. The provision made by this section for 
the purchase of School-apparatus, by certain Districts, i& 



174 PRIMARY SCHOOL LAW. 

leteimJM^ Sec. 24. They may also determine, at each annual meet- 
■the length ing, the length of time a School shall be taught in their 
scho^fshau District during the ensuing year, which shall not be less 
^tc!^''^^*' *^^^ three months ; and whether by male or female teach- 
ers, or both ; and whether the moneys apportioned for the 
support of the School therein shall be applied to the win- 
ter or summer term, or a certain portion of each. 

Sec. 25. In case any of the matters in the preceding 
section mentioned are not determined at the annual meet- 
ing, the District Board shall have power, and it shall be 
their duty to determine the same. 

a useful and important one, as was remarked by a former 
Superintendent, Hon. F. W. Shearman. A few dollars ex- 
pended for apparatus will often add largely to the interest 
and usefulness of a School. It is as poor economy to send 
the Teacher to the School-house without proper apparatus, 
as to send a laborer to the fields without tools. Black- 
boards are as indispensable in a good School as books are. 
In the hands of skillful Teachers, outline maps are also of 
great value. So also a globe, and other apparatus, should 
be provided wherever parents desire to give their children 
proper facilities for study. 

(Sections 24 and 25.) 1. It is evidently the intention of 
the law to limit the power of the District to decide these 
questions strictly to the annual meeting. If left undecided 
at the annual meeting, they pass entirely under the con- 
trol of the District Board. A special meeting, called for 
that purpose, may pass an advisory vote, but the power to 
determine will still rest with the District Board. 

2. It has been held that a special meeting called for that 
purpose, may reconsider and repeal the votes of the an- 
nual meeting, and should circumstances arise absolutely 
requiring the repeal of those votes, a special meeting 
should be called for that purpose. But the power of the 
special meeting would still be limited to a repeal. The 
a,ction of the annual meeting being set aside, the deter- 
mination of the matter rests in the hands of the District 



PBIMAEY SCHOOL LAW. 175 

Sec. 26. Said qualified voters may also, at any regular when vovrs 
meeting, authorize and direct the sale of any School-house, ^I'Jof p*op. 
site, building or other property belonging to the District, "'^• 
when the same shall no longer be needed for the use of the 
District. 

Sec. 27. They may also give such directions, and make DirootioD« in 
such provision as they shall deem necessary, in relation to su?" 
the prosecution or defense of any suit or proceeding in 
which the District may be a party, or interested. 

Sec. 28. (This section was repealed by the act to amend 
certain sections of the Primary School Law, approved 
Feb. 16, 1859.) 

MODERATOR. 

Sec. 29. The Moderator shall have power, and it shall *'°^f *^/'*l 

ii>i ' 1 11 •I'-iT-v- powers ana 

be his duty, to preside at ail meetings oi the District, to dutisB. 
sign all warrants for the collection of rate bills after they 
shall have been prepared and signed by the Director, and 
to countersign all orders upon the Assessor for moneys to 
be disbursed by the District, and all warrants of the Di- 
rector upon the Township Treasurer for moneys raised for 
District purposes, or apportioned to the District by the 
Township Clerk ; but if the Moderator shall be absent 
from any District meeting, the qualified voters present 
may elect a suitable person to preside at the meeting. 

Board, as would have been the case if the annual meeting 
had not voted. 

3. The month in section 24 must be interpreted to mean 
twenty-six work days. The Saturday afternoons, or every 
other Saturday usually allowed to teachers, may be inclu- 
ded in the count, as also the customary holidays. Xo Dis- 
trict is entitled to a share of the Primary School Moneys 
unless three months School has been taught therein by a 
qualified Teacher during the year. See sec. 80. 

(Section 29.) 1. A variety of practice prevails, in the mat- 
ter of drawing moneys from the Township Treasurer. In 
some Districts the warrants are drawn payable directly to 
the Teacher or his order, and in others they are drawn 
payable to the Assessor, and then the Teacher is given an 
order on the Assessor. The latter is the more regular 



moneys. 



176 PRIMARY SCHOOL LAW. 

Moderaror gec. 30. If at any District meeting any person shall con- 
der,^eTc.°' duct himsolf in a disorderly manner, and after notice from 
the Moderator or person presiding, shall persist therein, 
the Moderator or person presiding, may order him to with- 
draw from the meeting, and on his refusal, may order any 
constable or other person or persons to take him into cus- 
tody until the meeting shall be adjourned. 
^naityfor Sec. 31. Any person who shall refuse to withdraw from 
meeto^^ such meeting on being so ordered, as provided in the pre- 
ceding section, or who shall willfully disturb such meeting, 
shall, for every such offence, forfeit a sum not exceeding 
twenty dollars. 

ASSESSOR. 

toueatlM ^^^' ^^' '^^^ Assessor shall pay over, all moneys in his 
pay over hauds belonging to the District, on the warrant of the Di- 
rector, countersigned by the Moderator ; and shall collect 
all rate bills for tuition and fuel, in obedience to the com- 
mand contained in the warrant annexed thereto. 

Sec. 33. In case any person shall neglect or refuse to pay 
the amount on such rate bill for which he is liable, on de- 
mode, and seems to be the intention of the law. In this 
way the Assessor is the sole Treasurer of the District, and 
his accounts will exhibit the entire expenditures. The 
Assessor should keep an account with each particular fund 
belonging to the District: as Primary School Moneys, 
Building Fund, Incidental Expense Fund, c&c. 

2. He is not authorized to sign an order on the Assessor 
for public money to be paid to a Teacher who was not 
duly " qualified." 

(Section 31.) The penalty provided in this section may 
be recovered by a suit brought before a justice of the 
peace. See Compiled Laws, p, 1351. 

(Sections 32, 33, 34.) 1. No property is exempted from 
sale for the payment of a rate bill. 

2. The Assessor is entitled to five cents on each dollar 
of the rate bill for the collection thereof, and such collec- 
tion must be made within sixty days, unless the time is 
duly extended by the endorsement of the other oflScers. 



PEIMARY SCHOOL LAW. 177 

mand, tho Assessor shall collect the same by distress aiido°'«^8ay» 
sale of any goods or chattels of such person, wherever found, sortocoi-' 
within any county in which the District, or any part of it, ^ess^^ ^'" 
is situated. 

Sec. 34. The Assessor shall give at least ten days' notice ^^°q'*^®°^ 
of such sale, by posting up written notices thereof in three 
public places in the township where such property shall 
be sold. 

Sec. 35. At the expiration of his warrant, the Assessor -*^''l«««<''^o 
shall make a return thereoi, m writing, with tne rate bill to Director. 
attached, to the Director ; stating the amount on said rate 
bill collected, the amount uncollected, and the names of 
the persons from whom collections have not been made. 

Sec. 36. The Assessor shall appear for and on behalf of !^^^"^- 

iiT-v'r- 11 •! II • 1 easor to ap- 

tho District m all suits brought by or against the same, pear for m- 
when no other directions shall be given by the qualified '^*'''^°'' 
voters in District meeting, except in suits in which he is 
interested adversely to the District, and in all such cases 
the Director shall appear for such District, if no other di- 
rection be given as aforesaid. 

See Sections 45, 46 and 47. In case the Assessor shall fail 
to give bonds, or is unable to attend to his duties, the 
Board may appoint an acting Assessor. See Sec. 67. 

3. It is doubtful whether the Assessor's authority to 
collect rate bills, by distress and sale, extends to the case 
of non-resident pupils. It will be found safer, therefore, 
for the District Board to fix a rate of tuition for such pu- 
pils, and collect the same, as is usual in the Union Schools, 
in advance. Authority to fix such rates of tuition is given 
to the District Board by Section 163. 

{Section 35.) Should there remain any portion of the 
rate bill uncollected, after all due efforts on the part of 
the Assessor, the deficiency should be met by a tax on the 
taxable property of the District. The law gives no au- 
thority to levy a second rate bill to make up such defi- 
ciency. 

(Section 36.) For direction for suits, &c., against School 
Districts, see Sections 122 to 128. 



23 



178 PRIMABT SCHOOL LAW. 



DIRECTOE. 



Kerk '° ^^^' ^'^' '^^® Director shall be tlie clerk of the District 
. , "^ ' Board, and of all District meetiDgs when present, but if he 
■ ■ shall not be present at any District meeting, the qualified 

voters present may appoint a clerk of such meeting, who 
shall certify the proceedings thereof to the Director, to be 
___ recorded by him. 

To record' Sec. 38. The Director shall record all the proceedings of 
procee ing3, ^|^^ District, in a book to be kept for that purpose, and pre- 
serve copies of all reports made to the School Inspectors, 
and safely preserve and keep all books and papers belong- 
ing to his office. 
Contract for Scc. 39. The Director, with the advice and consent of 
whom^and'^ the Modcrator and the Assessor, or one of them, or under 
how made, their direction, if he shall not concur, shall contract with 
and hire qualified Teachers for and in the name of the Dis- 
trict, which contract shall be in writing, and shall have 
the consent of the Moderator and Assessor, or one of them, 
endorsed thereon, and shall specify the wages per week 
or month as agreed by the parties, and a duplicate thereof 
shall be filed in his office. 

(Section 39.) 1. This section was amended February 15, 
1859, so as to give the authority to employ Teachers to 
the majority of the District Board, whether the Director 
was one of that majority or not. The Director is merely 
the legal agent for making the contract, and has only an 
equal voice with the other members of the Board in the 
choice of a Teacher. A Director refusing to make a con- 
tract in accordance with the directions of the Moderator 
and Assessor, is liable to a penalty of ten dollars for each 
offence. See Section 130. 

2. When not otherwise stipulated in the contract, the 
month must be understood to imply twenty-six work days. 
A universal and healthful custom has established the usage 
of allowing the Teacher to dismiss School Saturday after- 
noons, or every alternate Saturday in lieu thereof, without 
any loss of time, five and a half days of actual teaching 
being counted as one week. The District Board cannot 
therefore require a Teacher to teach Saturday afternoons, 



PRIMARY SCHOOL LAW. 179 

Sec. 40. He shall ascertain, as near as practicable, be- To ascertain 
fore the commencement of each School Term, if the Dis-quYn'myor 
trict at any regular meeting so direct, the just proportion p^fson' ^^nd 
which each person having scholars to send to the School g'^? Q?t'C9 
ought to furnish, of the fuel for such term, and give each etc.'"^'''* ' 
such person at least five days' notice of the time within ^*® **°' ^^' 
which he is required to deliver the same at the School- 
house ; and if any person shall not deliver his proportion 
as required, the same shall be furnished by the Director, 
and the amount thereof shall be assessed on the rate bill to 
the person neglecting to deliver his proportion as aforesaid. 



or make up any time lost by omitting School Saturday 
afternoons, without specifying it in the contract. 

3. It is also customary to allow Schools such holidays as 
the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving days, Christmas and 
New Years, without any loss of the Teacher's time. 

4. As this section authorizes the Director to contract 
with " qualified teachers" only, it is an implied condition 
of the contract that the Teacher shall keep himself 
"qualified," in the legal sense, i. e., by holding a valid cer- 
tificate from the Inspectors. Should his certificate there- 
fore be annulled, his contract is no longer binding. If, 
however, the Board continue to employ him, he can still 
collect bis pay of those that employ him, though no public 
money can be paid to him. The District Board, as such, 
cannot legally employ an unqualified teacher ; their action, 
therefore, in employing such Teacher, cannot bind the 
District, as a District, but only those who shall send to the 
School taught by such Teacher. 

5. A District Board cannot properly annul a Teacher's 
contract without said Teacher's consent. If a Teacher 
proves incompetent or negligent, application may be made 
to the School Inspectors, and should they find suflScient 
cause to annul his certificate, his contract necessarily is 
made void. It would perhaps avoid occasional difficulties 
if it were agreed between the parties that the contract 
might be annulled by either party on giving some suffi- 
cient notice of the same. 



180 PRIMAIIY SCHOOL LAW. 

Totabacen- Sec. 41. Within ten days next previous to the annual 
trict,*^Ld^ District meeting-, the Director shall take the ceDsns of his 
niak4 list. District, and make a list in writing of the names of all the 

children belonging thereto between the ages of four and 

eighteen years. 
To furnish Sec. 42. He shall furnish a copy of such list to each 
to^Teacher* Teacher employed in the District, and require such Teacher 
T°^ T'l^j'^® carefully to note the daily attendance of each scholar, and 
note attend- to make rctum thereof to him, including the ages of all 
M^kew- scholars whose names are not on such list; and such 
turn. Teacher shall also certify and return, accordiug to his best 

information and belief, the name of the person liable for 

the tuition of each scholar. 
"'^^^ Sec. 43. In case the Director shall not have furnished 

keepiiBt,° such list as aforesaid, the Teacher shall keep a list of all 
*^°'' the scholars attending School, and the number of days 

each scholar shall attend the same, with the age of each, 

and the name of the person liable for the tuition of each, 

according to his best information and belief, which list he 

shall return to the Director as aforesaid. 

{Section 41.) 1. In this census should be embraced the 
children belonging properly to the District and no others. 
Children merely attending School in the District, while 
their parents or guardians reside elsewhere, should not be 
enumerated, as they are properly enumerated in the Dis- 
tricts in which their parents reside. Bat a child that has 
been adopted by, or is regularly apprenticed to a resident 
of the District, may be properly included in the School 
census. 

2. Children in alms-houses, prisons, or asylums, and not 
otherwise residents of the Districts in which such institu- 
tions are located, should not be enumerated in the School 
census. 

3. Children of aliens and people of color should be in- 
cluded in the census, if residents of the District. 

(Sections 42 and 43.) 1. The best interests of our Schools 
demand that this provision of the law should be strictly 
complied with by School Directors and Teachers. The 
Director should furnish the Teacher a full list of all the 



PRIMARY SCHOOL LAW. 181 

Sec. 44. The Director shall ascertain from the return ofD"^«'=**'T*'> 
such Teacher the number of days for which each person amount daa 
not exempted shall be liable to pay for tuition, and the '"'' *'^'''°°' 
amount payable by each. 

Sec. 45. Within twenty days after receiving such list f ^^o^'an" 
and certificate from the Teacher, the Director shall make ''"e^- ^^/^ 
out a rate bill, containing the name of each person so lia- coueciioa. 

children of legal School ages in the District. If a book 
were procured for the purpose, in which each year the list 
of children might be entered, and the attendance of each 
one at the School noted, it would, in the course of a few 
years, become a volume of great interest and value. 

2. It will be impossible for the Director to make the 
report required by section fifty-four, unless this list is 
properly kept. In the earlier history of the State, while 
the settlements were yet new, it was somewhat diflScult to 
make and preserve these lists; but it may certainly be 
expected now, that earnest eiforts will be made to obey 
the law. The proper success and perfection of our School 
system require that these facts in regard to the attend- 
ance at the Public Schools should be reported. 

3. If the Director fails to furnish the list, it is still the 
duty of the Teacher to keep a daily record of the attend- 
ance, and the Director will be enabled to make his report 
from a comparison of the Teacher's roll and record and 
the census list. 

{SeGtions 44 and 45.) 1. Should the Director fail to 
make out a rate bill within twenty days, without sufficient 
cause, he would be liable only for the penalty of $10 pro- 
vided in Section 130. The rate bill may, however, still be 
legally made out after the twenty days; the Director's 
neglect to make it before, not releasing any one from the 
obligation to pay the rate bill when made out. 

2. The District Board are authorized to determine the 
rates of tuition to be paid by pupik not residents of the 
District. Section 163. In cas'^^ the District Board do not 



182 PEIMARY SCHOOL LAW. 

ble, and the amount due from him for tuition and fue], or 
either, adding thereto five cents on each dollar of the sum 
due, for Assessor's fees, and shall annex thereto a warrant 
for the collection thereof, to be signed by him and the 
Moderator. 
Contents of gee, 46. Such Avarraut shall command the Assessor that 
Tvithin sixty days he collect of the persons named in said 
rate bill the amount set opposite their respective names, 
and that if any person shall neglect or refuse, on demand, 

fix upon any rates of tuition for non-resident pupils, they 
should be charged on the rate bill at the same rates as 
other pupils, except that they cannot share in the public 
money belonging to the District, without the express con- 
sent of the Board. 

3. In making a rate bill, the following steps should be 
pursued, viz: 

1st. Find the amount of the Teacher's wages for the 
whole term he has taught, and for which the rate bill is to 
be made out. 

2d. Deduct from this amount the moneys received or to 
be received from non-resident pupils, and also the amount 
of public money to be applied. 

3d. Apportion the balance remaining after the above 
deductions, among all the parents in the District, in pro- 
portion to the number of days each one has sent to the 
School. 

4th. Leave out all those who have been exempted from 
paying rate bills, and write the names of those who are 
liable to pay, in the rate bill, with the amounts due from 
each set opposite his name. To the names of those in the 
District, add also the names of those living out of the Dis- 
trict liable for Teachers' wages. 

4. The sums due from indigent persons who have been 
exempted are to be reported to the Supervisor and 
assessed upon the property of the District. Section 57. 

{Sections 46 and 47.) 1. No suit is required to collect 
money due on a rate bill. The Assessor is authorized to 



PRIMARY SCHOOL LAW. 183 

to pay the amount on said rate bill for which he is liable, 
he collect the same by distress and sale of the goods and 
chattels of such person wherever found within the county 
or counties in which the District is situated, first publish- 
ing such sale at least ten days, by posting up notices 
thereof in three public places in the township where such 
property shall be sold. 

Sec. 47. In case the Moderator and Director shall deem ^^^^l^l **^ 
it necessary, they may, by an endorsement on such warrant 
signed by them, extend the time therein specified for the 
collection of such rate bill, not exceeding thirty days. 

Sec. 4S. The Director shall provide the necessary ap-°^^®°*°^^^j, 
pendages for the School-house, and keep the same in goodiiousa in re- 
condition and repair during the time School shall be taught ^*"^" 
therein, and shall keep an accurate account of all expenses 

levy at once upon the property of the parent refusing to 
pay. No property is by the law exempted. 

2. "Whenever children from other Districts are admitted 
to the School, and only charged their proportion upon th© 
rate bill, they are often included in the rate bill, and their 
tuition collected by the Assessor the same as that of others. 
Though it is doubtful whether the Assessor's authority to- 
collect rate bills by summary process of distress and sale 
of any goods belonging to persons liable for such rate bills, 
extends to the case of non-resident pupils, the charges 
on rate bill for tuition of such pupils will still continue a 
debt against their parents or guardians, and may doubtless 
be collected by ordinary process of law. 

3. In collecting rate bills, the Assessor should take care 
to follow strictly the directions in the law. With due dili- 
gence, it will rarely be found necessary to extend the time 
for collection. No extension is permitted beyond the 
thirty days. The amounts uncollected at the end of that 
time must be returned to the Supervisor, to be assessed 
upon the District. Section 57. 

(Sections 48 and 49.) 1. These sections now read as they 
were amended by the act approved February 15, 1859. 
2. The law has wisely empowered one oflScer, and made 



184 . PEIMART SCHOOL LAW. 

Expenses, incurred by him as Director ; such account shall be audited 
how paid. -j^y. ^-^Q Moderator and Assessor, and on their written order 
shall be paid out of any money provided by the District 
for such purposes. 
Estimate of Scc. 49. He shall present at each annual meeting an 
cSgVear estimate of the expenses necessary to be incurred during 
the ensuiog year for such purposes, and for payment for 
the services of any District officer ; and such amount, when 
voted by such annual meeting, shall be assessed and col- 
lected in the same manner as other District taxes ; but no 
tax for these purposes shall be voted at a special meeting, 
unless a notice of the same shall be expressed in the notice 
of such meeting. 

■^vroofice ^®^' ^^' -^^ ^^^^^ §^^® *^® prescribed notice of the an- 
ofmeetiDg . nual District meeting, and of all such special meetings as 
he shall be required to give notice of in accordance with 
the provisions of this chapter, one copy of which for each 
meeting shall be posted on the outer door of the District 
School-house, if there be one. 

it his duty to keep the School-house in good repair. He 
should see to it that the windows are properly filled with 
glass ; that the stove and pipe are in a fit condition ; that 
the desks and seats are in good repair ; that the outhouses 
are properly provided with doors, and are frequently 
cleansed ; that the blackboards are kept painted, and 
everything is provided necessary for the comfort of the 
pupils and the success of the School. Under our laws, a 
great responsibility rests upon the Director, and on his 
promptitude and faithfulness depends the usefulness of the 
School. 

3. Under this amended section, the Moderator aad As- 
sessor are authorized to audit and pay the Director's ac- 
count, without requiring him to wait, as under the old law, 
for the annual meeting to vote the tax, and then for its 
assessment and collection. 

4. The amendment also authorizes the payment for the 
services of any District officer. In large Districts the tax 
upon the Director's time is often large and onerous, and a 
fair compensation should be allowed him for his services. 



PEIMART SCHOOL LAW. 185 

Sec. 61. The Director shr.ll draw from the Towoship Li-xodraw 
brary the proportion of books to which his JDistrict mayTwaVip^ 
be entitled, and return the same to the Township Library ^^^^^^y^*""^ 
at the expiration of three months, and shall continue to same. 
draw books in like manner, at the expiration of every 
three months, and to return the same as aforesaid. 

Sec. 52. He shall distribute the books drawn out by him^iV'^"*^'*" 

,. /. •) 1 •! 1 f" 1 f-v ■ i • J. "' books. 

to the parents or guardians oi the children oi the District 
of the proper age, for the time and under the restrictions 
contained in the rules prescribed by the Board of School 
Inspectors. 

Sec. 53. He shall draw and sign all orders upon the ^^-f'^^^l^'^ 
sessor lor all moneys to be disbursed by the District, and sign war 
all warrants upon the Township Treasurer for moneys Treasure. 
raised for District purposes, or apportioned to the District 
by the Township Clerk, and present the same to the Mod- 
erator, to be countersigned by him. 

Sec. 54. The Director shall, also, at the end of each ^jp^^^^^^t" 
School year, deliver to the Township Clerk, to be filed in Township 
his oflSce, a report to the Board of School Inspectors of the*"" ' 
township, showing : 

1. The whole number of children belonging to the Dis- ^^^*^ta of 
trict, between the ages of four and eighteen years, accord- 
ing to the census taken as aforesaid ; 

2. The number attending School during the year, under 
four, and also the number over eighteen years of age ; 

3. The whole number that have attended School during 
the year ; 

4. The length of time the School has been taught during 

(Sections 51 and 52.) In townships in which the Dis- 
trict Library system has been adopted, these sections have 
become obsolete. But in fractional Districts, lying partly 
in townships which still have Township Libraries, the Di- 
rector may continue to draw from the Township Library 
the share of books due his District. 

(Section 54.) 1. Two blanks for the Annual Report to 
the School Inspectors are annually forwarded to each Di- 
rector through the County and To^vnship Clerks. One of 
these he should carefully fill up as required, and deliver 
to the Township Clerk ; and the duplicate should be 
placed on file, and delivered to his successor. 
24 



186 PRIMA ET SCHOOL LAW. 

the year by a qualified Teacher, the name of each Teacher, 
the length of time kept by each, and the wages paid to 
each ; 

5. The average length of time scholars between fonr 
and eighteen ye^ars of age have attended School during the 
year ; 

6. The amount of money received from the Township 
Treasurer, apportioned to "the District by the Township 
Clerk; 

7. The amount of money raised by the District, and the 
purposes for which it was raised ; 

8. The kiuds of books used in the School ; 

9. Such other facts and statistics in regard to Schools, 
and the subject of education, as the Superintendent of 
Public Instruction shall direct. 

DISTRICT BOARD. 

DiBtTict Sec. 55. The Moderator, Director and Assessor shall 

^^rd to re- constitute the District Board. 

TOtedb"'d"* Sec. 50. Said Board shall, between the last Monday of 
triet, eto.^ September and the second Monday of October, in each 



2, The Directors' reports not only furnish the basis for 
the distribution of the Primary School Moneys, but also 
the facts upon which any sound opinion can be formed of 
the success of the School system, and of the character and 
extent of the amendments which may need to be made. 
Directors, therefore, should use the utmost care and dili- 
gence to make their reports full and correct. 

3. In fractional Districts, full annual reports are only 
to be made to the Clerk of the township in which the 
School-house is situated; and this report must embrace 
the number of children, and the statistics of the entire 
District. See section 81. The number of children in any 
fractional part of the District must also be reported to the 
Clerk of the township in which such fractional part is 
situated. See section 82. 

{Section 55.) In Graded or High School Districts, gem- 
eraJly called Union School Districts, the District Board, as 
provided by the law passed February, 1859, consists of six 
Trustees. 



PRUnUY 8CnitOL LAW. IS7 

yenr, make out and deliver to tho Superviwor of each town- 
ship in which any part of tho l>ic<triot ii^ situiitod, a. roj)ort 
in writing iimlor thoir haiid^, ot all taxes voted by tho 
District dnrini:; tho procodini^ yoar, and of all taxes which 
said Hoard is authori/od to iinpotso, <o bo lovie<i on tho 
tftxablo property within tho District. 

Sec. 57. Tito District Hoard may pnrchaso, at tho ex- ''"^''•"^■« "' 
ponse of tho Di.'^trict, snch Solu»ol Ix^oks as may bo necos- i.o..v cuii- 
sary \oy tho nse of <'hildron admitted by them to tho''"*"' 
District School free of charge, and they shall inchulo tho 
amount of such pnrchjjses, and tho amount which would 
have been payable for fuel and Teachers' wap;os, by per- 
sons exempted from tho payment thereof, together with 
any sums on tho District rate bills, which could not be 
collected, in their rejnirt to the Supervisor or Snpcrvisors, 
to bo assessed as aforesaid. 

Sec. 58. Said Hoard shall exempt from tho payment of '':^<""i>t>on 
Teachers' waives, and from providing:; fuel for tiio uso of i^m.^nflm' 
tho District, all such persons residin.u; therein as in their ^"'[^^'""Vtc 
opinion ought to bo exempted, and shall certify such ex- 
emptions to tho Director; and the children of such per- 
sons shall bo admitted to tho District School free oi charge 
during tho time oi such exemption. 

Sec. 5i). Thoy shall purchase or lease a site for a School- "<^'"'i lii'iiii 
house, as shall have been designatccl by the District, in HirVsi'irior 
the corporate name thereof, and shall build, hire, or pur-\^,"[y*"' 
chase such School-house out of tho fund provided for that 
purpose, and make sale of any site or other property of 
the District, when lawfully directed by tho (|ualitied voters 
at an annual or special meeting : Provided, That tho Dis- 
trict Board shall not in any case build a stone or brick 
School-houso upon any site, without having ilrst obtained 
a title in fee to the some, or a lease for ninety-nine years ; 
and also that they shall not in any case build a frame 
School-house upon any site for which they have not a title 
in fee, or a leaso for fifty years, without securing tho priv- 
ilege of removing the said School-house when lawfully 



{Sect{o7is 57 and 68.) The District Board should exer- 
cise a wise liberality in exempting from the payment of 
Teachers' wages, &c., those whose circumstances require 
such exemption. It is the high and worthy aim of our 
School system to provide a Common School education for 
every child in the State. None ought to be debarred from 
the School for lack of means to pay rate bills. 



188 PRIMARY SCHOOL LAW. 

directed so to do by the qualified voters of the District, at 
any annual or special meeting, 
soard toap- ggp^ QQ. The District Board shall apply and pay over all 
Moneys. School moneys belonging to the District, in accordance 
with the provisions of law regulating the same, as may be 
directed by the District ; but no School moneys appor- 
tioned to any District shall be appropriated to any other 
use than the payment of Teachers' wages, and no part 
thereof shall be paid to any Teacher who shall not have 
received a certificate as required in this chapter, before 
the commencement of his School. 
re°ui4°dof S®°* ^^- "^^^ Moderator and Director shall require of 
Assessor, the Assessor, and the Assessor shall execute to the District, 
a bond in double the amount of money to come into his 
hands as such Assessor during the year, as near as the 
same can be ascertained, with two sufficient sureties, to be 
approved by the Moderator and Director, conditioned for 
the faithful application of all moneys that shall come into 
his hands by virtue of his office. 
Where bond gee. 62. Such boud shall be lodged with the Moderator, 
and^whe^n*^' and in case of any breach of the condition thereof, the 
sued, etc. Director shall cause a suit to be commenced thereon in 
the name of the District, and the money, when collected,^ 
shall be paid into the Township Treasury, for the use of 
the District, subject to the order of the proper District 
officers. 
Report of Sec. 63. Said Board shall present to the District, at each 
dtsbifrle-^"^ annual meeting, a report in writing, containing an accurate 
ments. statement of all moneys of the District received by them, 
or any of them, during the preceding year, and of the dis- 
bursements made by them, with the items of such receipts 
and disbursements. 
statement Soc. 64. Such report shall also contain a statement of all 
^tc*^^"'' taxes assessed upon the taxable property of the District 
during the preceding year, the purposes for which such 
taxes were assessed, and the amount assessed for each par- 
ticular purpose, and said reports shall be recorded by the 
Director in a book to be provided and kept for that 
purpose. 



(Section 60.) The practice of some Districts in employ- 
ing a Teacher, and getting him inspected some time af- 
ter commencing his School, is entirely illegal and wrong, 
being calculated to defeat the very end and purpose of all 
inspection. 



PRIMARY SCHOOL LAW. 189 

Sec. 65. The said District Board shall have the care and Board to 
custody of the School-house and other property of theuyolohtr't 
District, except so far as the same shall be specially con- p''''^""^*^- 
fided to the custody of the Director, including all books 
purchased for the use of pupils admitted to the School 
free of charge. 

Sec. 66. The said Board shall have power to fill, by ap- vacancies. 
pointment, any vacancy that shall occur in their own 
number, and it shall be their duty to fill such vacancy 
within ten days after its occurrence : Provided, That in Proviso. 
case said Board shall, from any cause, fail to fill such 
vacancy within the time specified, the same may be filled 
by election at a special School District meeting called for 
that purpose, by the qualified voters present, which meet- 
ing shall be called in the same manner, and be subject to 
the same regulations, as other special School District 
meetings. 

(Section 65.) It is an almost universal custom to allow 
the use of the School-house for religious meetings, Sunday 
schools, lectures, lyceums, debating societies, and all other 
meetings connected with the mental, moral or religious 
improvement of the people, and such use has uniformly 
been approved by my predecessors in this department. 
These usee of the School-house are certainly not foreign 
to the purpose of its erection. The Board should, how- 
ever, consult the general wishes of the people in granting 
this use of the public property. 

(Section 66.) 1. This section reads as amended by the 
act approved Feb. 15, 1859. 

The occurrence of any of the following events will create 
a vacancy in a School District office : 

First. The death of the incumbent ; 

Second. His resignation ; 

Third. His removal from office ; 

Fourth. His removal from the District ; 

Fifth. His conviction of any infamous crime ; 

Sixth. His election or appointment being declared void 
by a competent tribunal : 



certein 
case. 



liO PRIMARY SCHOOL LAW. 

Board may Sec. G7. If the Assessoi" shall fail to give i)ond as is re- 
tl^^or'^in'r quired in this chapter, or from sickness or any other cause 
shall be unable to attend to the duty of collecting any 
District rate bill, the said Board shall appoint an acting 
Assessor to collect the same, who shall possess all the 
powers of the District Assessor for that purpose, and shall, 
before proceeding to the collection thereof, give bond to 
the District in double the amount of money to be collected, 
in the same manner, and with the same effect as the Dis- 
trict Assessor is required to give such bond. Every 
Mctoffiits S'^^ool District of35ce shall become vacant upon the incum- 
t'obecome beut coasing to be a resident of the District for which he 
vacant. gj^all have been elected, or upon the happening of either 
of the events specified in section three of chapter fifteen 
of the Kevised Statutes of 1846. 

TOWNSHIP BOARD OP SCHOOL INSPECTORS, 

schooiia- S®^* ^^' ^^^ Inspectors elected at the annual township 
specters, meetings, together with the Township Clerk, shall consti- 
tute the Township Board of School Inspectors ; and the 
Inspector elected at the annual township meeting, having 
the shortest time to serve, shall be Chairman of said 
Board, and the said Township Clerk shall be the Clerk 
thereof. 
Board^tTbe ^®°- ^^' "^^^ Chairman of said Board shall be the Treas- 
Treasurer urer thereof, and shall give bond to the township in double 
^i!^^ the amount of library moneys to come into his hands dur- 
ing his term of office, as near as the same can be ascer- 
tained, with two sufficient sureties, to be approved by the 
Township Clerk, conditioned for the faithful appropriation 
of all moneys that may come into his hands by virtue of 

Incase of ^^^ office. 

breach,'' Sec. 70. Said bond shall be filed with the Township 
bond to be oIqj.^^ and in case of the non-fulfillment thereof, said Clerk 

Seventh. His neglect to file his acceptance of office, or 
to give or renew any official bond, according to law. 
(Compiled Laws, Chap. 11, Sec. 3, p. 219.) 

2. In case the Board fail to fill the vacancy, it is to be 
filled by an election by the qualified voters present at a 
special meeting called for that purpose. This amendment 
superseded section 95, which provided that the Inspectors 
should fill vacancy in case the District Board failed to do 
so within ten days. 



PRIMARY SCHOOL LAW. 191 

shall cause a suit to be commenced thereon, and the moneys 
collected in such suit shall be paid into the Township 
Treasury for the benefit of the Township Library, 

Sec. 71. The Inspectors shall divide the township into *'^™*^*^'?^^ 
such number of School Districts as may from time to time 
be necessary, which Districts they shall number, and they 
may regulate and alter the boundaries of the same as cir- 
cumstances shall render proper; but no District shall con- 2 Douglass, 
tain more than nine sections of land, and each District ^^"'''" ^^^" 
shall be composed of contiguous territory, and be in as 
compact a form as may be ; but no land shall be taxed for 
building a School-house, unless some portion of every legal 
subdivision of said land shall be within two and one-half 
miles of said School-house site. 

{Section 71.) 1. This power to establish and change the 
boundaries of School Districts is a most important one, 
and on its wise and carefal exercise the success and well- 
being of the School system often depends. It is coming 
to be more and more seen that it would have been better 
if the townships had never been divided into independent 
Districts, but that each township had remained a general 
District, with a Township School Board, who should have 
established and maintained a sufficient number of Schools 
to accommodate the various parts of the township, and 
with perhaps a single local Director to aid in the care of 
each School. 

The main errors committed in the division of the town- 
ships have been the multiplication of small Districts, too 
feeble to maintain a good School, and the unnecessary in- 
crease of fractional Districts, which have always proved a 
fruitful source of error and trouble. , 

2. " Whenever a School District is divided, each of the 
Districts formed from it has a right, in making its annual 
report, to embrace the time a School was taught between 
the commencement of the School year, and the time the 
division w^as made, and to add thereto the time a School 
has been taught in said District subsequently to the 
division. If each District, reckoning time thus, is enabled 



192 PRIMABY SCHOOL LAW. 

^dto™outof Sec. 72. They may attach to a School District any per- 
District, son residing in the township, and not in any organized 
taoLdto District, at his request; and for all District purposes, ex- 
^itSa ™ *2®P^ raising a tax for building a School-house, such person 
eases. shall be considered as residing in such District; but when 
set off to a new District, no sum shall be raised for such 
person as his proportion to the District property. 
te^re^ewl Soc. 73. The Inspectors shall apply for and receive from 
and appro- the Townsliip Treasurer all moneys appropriated for the 

to report a School taught three months or more, by quali- 
fied Teachers, each is entitled to draw public money. 

3. "In the distribution of School moneys to said Dis- 
tricts, the same sum should be apportioned to the two, 
that the original District would have been entitled to 
receive had there been no division. This sum should be 
divided between them according to the rules of justice and 
equity. If the division of a District takes place immedi- 
ately after the commencement of a School year, and before 
a School has been opened, the public money should be ap- 
portioned to the new Districts in proportion to the number 
of scholars within the legal ages residing in each of them 
at the time of the division. But if the division is made at 
the close of the winter School, and two-thirds (more or 
less) of the public money has been apportioned to said 
School, in which both of the Districts were entitled to 
share equitably, the remaining one-third should be appor- 
tioned in proportion to the number of children within the 
legal ages in the Districts at the time the division is 
made." 

4. The law for Graded or High Schools, passed Febru- 
ary, 1859, provides that several Districts may unite in cer- 
tain cases without the action of the Inspectors. In those 
cases the united District need not be limited to nine sec- 
tions of land. 

{Section 73.) 1. The Library Mbneys include whatever 
may be voted from the two mill tax annually, at the town- 
ship elections, as provided by section 107, and the moneys 



PRIMARY SCHOOL LAW. 193 

Township Library of their township, and shall purchase pnate ti- 
the books, and procure the necessary appendages for the ney7 "**" 
Township Library, and make such rules for the regulation 
thereof, and the preservation of the books contained in it, 
as they may deem proper. 

received from fines, penalties, forfeited recognizances, &c., 
from the County Treasurer. The Inspectors should apply 
to the County Treasurer between the fifth and tenth of 
April each year, for the money from such fines, &c. Were 
the Boards of Supervisors, and other officers charged with 
this matter, careful to see that these fines and penalties 
were paid over by those collecting them, and forfeited 
recognizances were prosecuted, many thousands of dollars 
would annually accrue to the Library fund that are now lost. 

2. Wherever the Township Library has been divided 
into District Libraries, under the law providing for such 
division, the Inspectors should annually apportion the Li- 
brary moneys to the Districts, to be expended by the 
District Boards for books. 

3. This authority to select books for the Township Li- 
braries is one of the greatest importance, and should be 
exercised with the utmost care and circumspection. Good 
books are great blessings. They are the cheapest and 
most efficient educational agencies known ; and the School 
Library is justly esteemed a needful and valuable auxiliary 
to our Public School system. Cai*e should be taken to 
select, to a considerable extent, such books as will prove 
interesting and instructive to the young, from ten to 
twenty years of age. Let the taste for reading good books 
once be strongly established, and our pupils will not only 
use the Library, but will go beyond that, and seek to sup- 
ply themselves, even at their own expense, with the means 
of gratifyiDg their appetite for learning. 

4. The Inspectors will hereafter be aided in this delicate 
and important task by the lists of books selected by the 
State Board of Education. 

•25 



194 PRIMAEY SCHOOL LAW. 

To appoint Sec. 74. They shall appoint one of their nnmber to visit 
anmber*to^ each School in the township having a qualified Teacher, at 
Sdiooifl. ^®^^* ^^^® ^^ ^^^^ School term in which a School is taught, 
who shall inquire into the condition of such Schools, ex- 
amine the scholars, and give such advice to both Teachers 
and pupils as he may think beneficial. 
NewDifl- Sec. 75. When a new District is formed, in whole or is 
OTtniedto^a part, from one or more Districts possessed of a School- 
Sctprop-^' house, or entitled to other property, the Inspectors, at the 
erty. time of forming such new District, or as soon thereafter as 
may be, shall ascertain and determine the amount justly 
due to such new District, from any District out of which 
it may have been in whole or in part formed, as the pro- 
portion of such new District of the value of the School- 
house and other property belonging to the former District 
at the time of such division. And whenever, by the di- 
vision of any District, the School-house, or site thereof, 
shall no longer be conveniently located for School purposes, 
and shall not be desired for use by the new District in 
which it may be situated, the School Inspectors of the 
township in which such School-house and site shall be 
located, may advertise and sell the same, and apportion 
the proceeds of such sale among the various parts into 
which the original District may have been divided. 



{Section 71.) 1. Scarcely any other measure could be 
adopted that would add so much to the value and efficiency 
of the Schools as that of a regular and wise system of in- 
spection. Much might be accomplished under our present 
system, if the people were careful to select well qualified 
Inspectors, and the Inspectors would comply rigidly with 
the requirements of this section. 

2. Inspectors are entitled to pay for the time spent in 
visiting Schools, at the same rate as when engaged in at- 
tending meetings of the Board. 

3. At their first meeting each year, the Board of Inspec- 
tors should appoint one of their number as Yisitor. The 
Visitor should, at as early a day as practicable, arrange 
for his visits, appointing the time for each School. It 
would be well if an entire day could be devoted to each 
School — the forenoon being spent in witnessing the ordi- 



PRIMARY SCHOOL LAW. 105 

Sec. 76. Such proportion shall be ascertained and de-Howpropor. 
termined according to the value of the taxable property I'sMrUk^, 
of the respective parts of such former District at the time 
of the division, by the best evidence in the power of the 
Inspectors ; and such amount of any debt due from the 
former District, which would have been a charge upon the 
new, had it remained in the former District, shall be de- 
ducted from such proportion : Provided, That no real es- 
tate thus set off, and which shall not have been taxed for 
the purchase or buildiug of such School house, shall be 
entitled to any portion thereof, nor be taken into account 
in such division of District property. 

Sec. 77. The amount of such proportion, when so ascer- Proportion 
tained and determined, shall be certified by the Township eedlo sS? 
Clerk to the Supervisor of the Township, whose duty it hJ^"^o«- 
shall be to assess the same upon the taxable property ofedot 
the District retaining the School-house or other property 

nary course of instruction, and the afternoon in a public 
examination of the scholars. The District Board and pa- 
rents should be invited to be present. 

It is to be hoped that a system of County School In i 
specters, or Superintendents, will soon be adopted in our 
law. 

{Section 75.) 1. This section was amended by the act 
passed Feb. 15, 1859, by the addition of the last clause. 
In the enlargement of Districts, for the purpose of estab- 
lishing larger and better Schools, it sometimes occurs that 
an old District is entirely destroyed, its entire territory 
going to swell the extent of two or more adjoining Dis- 
tricts. The law was found defective in not authorizing 
the sale of the old District property, when neither of the 
new Districts wished to retain it. This amendment will 
cover all such cases. 

2. When part of a District possessed of a School-house 
or other property, is set off to another District possessing 
a School-house, the part set off is not entitled to receive 
any share of the District property ; what it loses in the 
old District being counted as made up by what it gains in 
the new. 



1S0 PRIMARY SCHOOL LAW. 

of the former District, in the same manner as if the same 
had been authorized by a vote of such District, and the 
money so assessed shall be placed to the credit of the 
taxable property taken from the former District, and shall 
be in reduction of any tax imposed in the new District on 
said taxable property for School District purposes, 
wiwn ap- Sec. 78. When collected, such amount shall be paid over 
Idie^eTtoto the Assessor of the new District, to be applied to the 
bep&ido'er. ^gQ thereof, in the same manner, under the direction of 
its proper officers, as if such sum had been voted and 
raised by said District for building a School-house, or other 
District purposes. 
Beportfirem Soc. 79. Between the first and fifteenth days of October 
to^io^Spin each year, the Inspectors shall make out and deliver to 
*^^ the Township Clerk duplicate reports to the County Clerk, 
setting forth the whole number of Districts in their town- 
ships, the amount of money raised and received for the 
Township Library, together with the several particulars 
set forth in the reports of the School Directors for the 
preceding year. 

Sec. 80. The Board of Inspectors, before making their 

(Section 79.) 1. The necessary blanks for the Reports 
required by this section are annually forwarded to the 
proper officers. Three of these blanks are sent to each 
Township Clerk — two for the duplicate copies to be de- 
livered to the County Clerks, and one to be filed in the 
office of the Township Clerk for^the use of the Board and 
their successors. 

2, The facts and statements for the Inspectors' reports 
are to be derived mainly from the annual reports of the 
District Directors, required by section 54. Should these 
reports be deficient in any particulars, or incorrect, the 
Inspectors are not authorized to correct them, except in 
the single case provided for in section 80. They may, 
however, and should, where time will permit, notify the 
Director of the deficiency or error, and get the same cor- 
rected. 

(Section 80.) 1. The month in this section must be un- 
derstood to embrace twenty-six work days, though the 



PRIMARY SCHOOL LAW. IflT 



annual report to the County Clerk, shall examine the^^^^^^^j^ 
record of Teachers to whom certificates have been given be examina* 
by them, and if in any School District a School shall notpmt'm^, 
have been taught for three months during the preceding **•*• 
School year by a qualified Teacher, no part of the public 
money shall be distributed to such District, although the 
report from such District shall set forth that a School has 
been so taught; and it shall be the duty of the Board to 
certify the facts in relation to any such District in their 
reports to the County Clerk. 

Sec. 81. Whenever it shall be necessary or convenient Formation 
to form a District from two or more adjoining townships, in t^T<^ 
the Inspectors, or a majority of them, of each of such ad- ^5^ '^'"' 
joining townships, may form such District, and direct which * 
Township Clerk shall make and deliver the notice of the 
formation of the same to a taxable inhabitant thereof, and 
may regulate and alter such District as circumstances may 
render necessary. The Director of such District shall Towfcom re- 
make his annual report to the Clerk of the Township in^^de. 
which the School-house is situated. 

Sec. 82. The Director of every District formed as provi- Director to 
ded in the preceding section, shall also report to the Clerk fa^oh^^T^. 
of each Township in which the District is in part situated, ®^*- 
the number of children between the ages of four and 
eighteen years in that part of the District lying in such 
township, and books shall be drawn from the Library of 
each Township for the use of such District ; but the Dis- 
trict shall have access to but one such Library at the same 
time, and the said Inspectors shall establish the order in 
which books shall be drawn from each Township Library. 

vacant Saturdays, or Saturday afternoons, or regidar holi- 
days allowed the Teacher, may be counted in. 

2. No Teacher is to be regarded as a qualified Teacher 
who did not hold a certificate at the time of commencing 
School. 

(Section 81.) 1. Whenever the Inspectors of two or more 
Townships meet to form or alter the boundaries of Dis- 
tricts, a majority of each Board is necessary to a decision. 
A. simple majority of the joint Boards is not sufficient. 

2. The provisions for the annual reports of the Directors 
of Fractional Districts, demand especial attention. The 



198 PBIMAET SCHOOL LAW. 

Districts Sec. 83. Such School Districts already formed from two 
twTor Jo^ or more townships, shall continue to be governed by the 
hSw'^ieg^a- regulations already established according to law, in rela- 
ted, tion to the annual reports, and the drawing of books from 
the Township Libraries, subject to such changes as may 
be made in respect thereto by the said Inspectors, in con- 
formity with the preceding provisions. 
Amount of Sec. 84. The full amount of all taxes to be levied upon 
^rtiVed'and the taxable property in such District, shall be certified by 
apportioned tl^e District Board to the Supervisor of each of such town- 
ships, and each of said Supervisors shall certify to each 
other Supervisor within whose township such District is 
in part situated, the amount of taxable property in that 
part of the District lying in his township ; and such Su- 
pervisors shall respectively ascertain the proportion of 
such taxes, to be placed on their respective assessment 
rolls, according to the amount of taxable property in each 
part of such District. 

Director should make only one full report, and that should 
embrace all the children in the District of proper School 



3. When a District lies partly in two Townships, one 
having a Township Library and the other having District 
Libraries, the District is entitled to draw its quota of books 
from the Township Library even though it has a District 
Library of its own. The property of that part of the Dis- 
trict lying in such township is taxed for the support of 
such Library, and it is equitably entitled to draw its pro- 
portion of the books. It would be better if the Fractional 
District thus situated could be allowed its share of the Li- 
brary money from each Township to which it partly be- 
longs, and purchase the books for its own Library. 

(Section 84.) Much confusion and trouble has arisen 
from the assessment of District taxes in fractional Dis- 
tricts. Both the reason of the law and the law itself will 
be evident if it is remembered that no tax can be assessed 
upon any property in any township bnt^by the Supervisor 
of the township. 



PEIMABY SCHOOL LAW. 199 

EXAMINATION OP TEACHERS. 

Sec. 85. It shall be the duty of the Inspectors to examine ^*"f°* 
all persons oifering themselves as candidates for Teachers Teaohera. 
of Primary Schools in their Townships, in regard to moral 
character, learning, and ability to teach a School ; and they 
shall deliver to each person so examined and found quali- 
fied, a certificate signed by them, in such form as shall be certificate, 
prescribed by the Superintendent of Public Instruction, 

Each Supervisor must, therefore, be notified by the Dis- 
trict Board of the entire amount of the District taxes. 

Then each Supervisor needs to know the entire amount 
of taxable property in the District. This latter informa- 
tion is furnished by the several Supervisors to each other. 

Each Supervisor knowing thus the entire amount of tax 
to be raised, and being able to ascertain the proportion of 
the property of the District lying in his township, is pre- 
pared to assess upon such property its equitable propor- 
tion of the tax. 

{Section 85.) 1. This section reads as amended by the 
act approved February 15, 1859. The amendment requires 
the certificate to state *' the branches in which the holder 
thereof has passed a satisfactory examination," and author- 
ises the giving of certificates for difi'erent periods of time, 
"not less than six months nor more than two years." 

2. No certificate should be given to a Teacher who does 
not pass a satisfactory examination in the common branches, 
Reading, Spelling, Geography, Grammar, and Arithmetic. 
See section 88. Whenever the applicant proposes to teach 
in the higher departments of a Graded School, or in any 
advanced Primary School, he should be required to pass 
an examination in all the branches he will be expected to 
teach. 

3. Inspectors may lawfully invite any gentleman they 
may choose, to assist them in their examinations ; but they 
cannot deputize any one to give a certificate in their stead, 



200 PEIMAEY SCHOOL LAW. 

wliicli certificate sliail certify the branches in which the 
person holding it has passed a satisfactory examination, 
and shall be given at the discretion of the lospectors for a 
term of not less than six months nor more than two years. 
^nn"qnai-i^o pcrson shall be deemed a qualified Teacher within the 
a?" deaned, meaning or this chapter, who has not such a certificate m 
force, or the legal certificate as a graduate of the State 
Normal School. 

Sec. 86. For the purpose of making such examination, 

or to conduct examinations in their absence. Two of the 
Inspectors may examine and license Teachers, but one can- 
not act alone in this duty. 

4. Inspectors owe it to the Schools to refuse a certificate 
to any Teacher who is a drunkard, or gambler, or who uses 
profane language, or indulges in any other gross immoral- 
ity. No excellency of scholarship or experience, or skill in 
teaching, can compensate a School for the lack of moral 

• purity and integrity in the Teacher. The law has wisely 
made a good moral character a requisite for a qualified 
Teacher, since it is on the virtue as well as on the intelli- 
gence of the people that the safety of the Republic de- 
pends. 

5. Form No. 17 having been printed before the amend- 
ment of this section, has become obsolete. The following 
is prescribed in its place: 

FORM OF teacher's CERTIFICATE. 

It is hereby Certified that A B has passed 

a satisfactory examination before us in the following 
branches, viz : 

Otlwgrapliy, Beading, Writing, 

Grammar, Geography, Arithmetic, 



and is able to give instruction in the same. He has more- 
over been found of good moral character and of competent 
ability to teach a School, and we have therefore licensed 
liim to teach in the Schools ox this Township of , in 



aud uotice 
heieof. 



PRIMARY SCHOOL LAW, 201 

the Board of School Inspectors shall meet on the second Meetiogafor 
Saturday of April and first Saturday of November in each Tea^horsf 
year, at the office of the Township Clerk, or at such other j 
place as they shall designate, of which meetings the 
Township Clerk shall give at least ten days notice in 
writing, by posting up the same in three public places in 
the Township. 

Sec. 87. The Inspectors may make such examination atExamma- 
such other times as they may designate for that purpose, "^g*"****' 
but shall make no charge against the Township for exam- 
ining Teachers at any other times than those specified in 
tho preceding section. 



the county of , for the term of (liere insert the time,) 

from the date hereof. 

Griven under our hands this day of , A. D. 18 — . 

C D , ] School Inspectors of 

E F , >the Totvnship of — , 

G H , ) Go. of—, Mich. 

6. Only Teachers of experience and approved success, 
should be licensed for the longest period. Young Teach- 
ers should be contented to pass a noviciate of six months 
to prove their ability to teach. 

{Section SI.) 1. When Inspectors hold special meetings, 
due notice should be given of the same. No examinations 
of Teachers should be held but at a meeting called for 
that purpose. The practice of one Inspector's giving a 
certificate to be signed afterwards by the others, is entirely 
irregular and unauthorized. As far as possible, the exam- 
inations should be confined to the regular days appointed 
by law, as they will be much more generally attended 
by the citizens, and will generally be more extended aud 
thorough. 

2. Inspectors are entitled to charge Teachers for exam- 
inations if not made upon the regular days, they being for- 
bidden to make any charge against the Township for auy 
bat the two regular meetings. 

26 



202 PEIMAEY SCHOOL LAW. 

Bxamioa- Scc. 88. The examination of Teachers shall be public, 

fnbh^;''* and no certificate shall be given by the Inspectors, nnlesB 

toDs^of t^Qy ^^® satisfied that the applicant possesses a good moral 

leacbers. character, and a thorough and accurate knowledge of the 

several branches of study usually taught in Primary Schools, 

and is competent in other respects to teach and govern a 

School. 

^Ter to ^®^* ^^' ^^®^ ^ District is situated in two or more town- 

ibe examined ships, the Toachor for such District shall be examined by 

Stuated'in tho Juspoctors of the township to which the Director is 

To^'nsiiTT* required to make his annual report. 

tos^ectOTs' Sec. 90. Whenever the Inspectors shall deem it neces- 

^Lr^^' sary to re-examine any Teacher of a Primary School in 

Mdt^nnii ^^^^^ township, they shall give five days notice to such 

oerufloate. Toachor of the time and place of such re-examination, and 

of their intention to annul his certificate if they find him 

deficient in the requisite qualifications ; and at the time 

and place specified in the notice, if such Teacher shall not 

appear and submit to such re-examination, or if he shall be 

found deficient as aforesaid the Inspectors shall annul the 

said certificate. 

(Section 88.) 1. The requisition that the examination 
shall be public, would seem to demand that public notice 
should be given of the meeting. 

2. Inspectors should require satisfactory testimonials of 
the good moral character of any person whom they license, 
if such person was previously unknown to them., 

(Bection 90.) 1. Should the Inspectors be convinced that 
the Teacher's non-appearance at the time fixed for his re- 
examination, was owing to serious sickness or unavoidable 
accident, they should give him another opportunity for 
examination. 

2. No Teacher's certificate should be annulled on a mere 
report of incompetency ; but the Inspectors are bound to 
examine him, and, if necessary, visit his School and assure 
themselves personally of his deficiency. 

3. Whenever the Inspectors shall have annulled a Teach- 
er's certificate, they ought immediately to notify the Dis- 
trict Board that had employed him, as no more public 



PRIMARY SCHOOL LAW. 203 

Sec. 91. The whole number of meetings of said Board dumber of 
of Inspectors during any one year, at the expense of the solld!^^ ''^ 
township, shall not exceed six ; and whenever said Board 
shall meet for the purpose of forming or altering School^""*'?"* 
Districts, they shall cause the like notice to be given as iscaLs!" 
required for meetings to examine Teachers. 

Sec. 94. It shall be the duty of the Board of Inspectors laspectore 
to render to the Township Board, on the Tuesday next pre-to lownswp 
ceding the annual Township meeting, a full and true ac- ^**'^'''^- 
count of all moneys received and disbursed by them as 
such Inspectors, during the year, which account shall be 
settled by said Township Board, and such disbursements 
allowed, if the proper vouchers are presented. 

Sec. 95. [Repealed by act approved Feb. 15, 1S59.] 

CERTAIN DUTIES OF TOWNSHIP CLERK. 

Sec. 96. The Township Clerk shall be the Clerk of the^«ktf 
Board of School Inspectors by virtue of his office, and shall speTtow. 
attend all meetings of said Board, and under their direction 
prepare all their reports and record the same, and shall re- 
money can be paid him, and none drawn on account of his 
teaching. The contract made with a qualified Teacher 
becomes null and void by the annulling of his certificate. 
See Notes on section 39. 

{Sections 92 and 93.) [These sections, repealed by the 
act approved Februarj 14, 1859, provided for the estab- 
lishment of Graded School Districts by the Inspectors and 
the grading of the Schools. They also provided for en- 
larging the District Board cf such Districts. A new law 
for organizing enlarged Districts and grading Schools hav- 
ing been passed, these sections were repealed to prevent 
the confusion of an unnecessary variety of School organi- 
zations. 

Districts which have heretofore had enlarged Boards un- 
der these sections, must now go back to the common Dis- 
trict organization, or adopt the organization provided in 
the new law. See sections 147, 148, 149, 150 and 151. 

The repeal of these sectiens renders null sections 2382 
23€3, page 758 Complied Laws.] 



204 PRIMAET SCHOOL LAW. 

cord ail their proceedingSg including the names of Teach- 
ers to whom certificates shall have been given, with the 
date of each certificate, and the name of each Teaeher 
whose certificate shall have been annulled, with the date 
of such annulment. 
cieck to Sec. 97. On receiving notice from the County Treasurer 

IX^f°" of the amount of School moneys apportioned to his town- 
msaeys. gjj|p^ j^g g}jall apportion the same amongst the several Dis- 
tricts therein entitled to the same, in proportion to the 
number of children in each between the ages of four and 
eighteen years, as the same shall be shown by the annual 
report of the Director of each District for the School year 
last closed. 
Toapparti'n Sec. S8. Said Clerk shall also apportion, in like manner, 
s hooi mon qu recoiving notice of the amount from the Township Treas- 
t^Townthip urer, all moneys raised by township tax, or received from 
apjaruon!^ othor sourcos for the support of Schools, and in all cases 
(jseat. make out and deliver to the Township Treasurer a written 
statement of the number of children in each District draw- 
ing money, and the amount apportioned to each District, 
and record the apportionment in his ofiice. 
To k?e? Sec. 99. He shall receive and keep all reports to the In- 

spectors from the Directors of the several School Districts 
in his township, and all the books and papers belonging to 
the Inspectors, and file such papers in his office. 
To receive SoG. 100. He shall roceivo all such communications as 
^commr may be transmitted to him by the Superintendent of Pub- 



books and 
papers 



{Section 97.) The Districts entitled to public moneys are 
those which have had a School taught by a " qualified 
Teacher" for three months during the preceding School 
year. No money should be apportioned to others. 

{Section 98.) 1. The money raised by the township tax 
of two mills on each dollar of taxable property, is, by the 
law of 1859, (see section 107,) to be apportioned to the Dis- 
tricts in which it was raised. If any part of said tax was ap- 
propriated for District Libraries, the Clerk should appor- 
tion such part to the several Districts on the same basis on 
which he apportions the Primary School moneys. 

2. For directions for apportioning School moneys in the 
case of Fractional Districts, see Notes on sections 141 and 



PEIMARY SCHOOL LAW. 206 

lie iDstruction, and dispose of the same in the manner di-ncatioM 
rected therein. iltrnleT'' 

Sec. 101. He shall transmit to the. County Clerk all suchTo tranemu 
reports as may be delivered to him for that purpose by the report.""'^ 
Inspectors, within the time limited in this chapter. 

Sec. 102. Each Township Clerk shall cause a map to be to make 
made of his township, showing by distinct lines thereon "fc?"^ ''**" 
the boundaries ot each School District, and parts of School 
Districts therein, and shall regularly number the same 
thereon as established by the Inspectors. 

Sec. 103. One copy of such map shall be filed by the said^o file copy 
Clerk in his office, and one other copy be shall file with deliver co^ 
the Supervisor of the township; and within one month ^jf"^^''' 
after any division or alteration of a District, or the organ- 
ization of a new one in his township, the said Clerk shall 
file a new map and copy thereof as aforesaid, showing the 
same. 

Sec. 104. The Clerk shall also certify to the Supervisor TocerWy 
the amount to be assessed upon the taxable property of b^Mrieoteci 
any School District retaising the District School-house or ""^''^'^^l^t 
other property, on tne division of the District, as the same 
shall have been determined by the Inspectors, and he shall 
also certify the same to the Director of such District, and 
to the Director of the District entitled thereto. 

Sec. 105. Said Clerk shall also be the Township Libra-aerktobe 
rian, and as such, shall have the custody of the Township ^'^''*''*°' 
Library; and he shall do and execute all such other acts 
and things pertaining to his office, as may be required of 
him by the Inspectors. 

OP TAXES FOR SCHOOL PURPOSES. 

Sec. 106. It shall be the duty of tho Supervisor of the AseefBment 
township to assess the taxes voted by every School Dis-tionofUMB 
trict in his township, and also all other taxes provided for ^<"^ '^°'^°°' 
in this chapter, chargeable against such District or town-^"^*^^ 
ship, upon the taxable property of the District or town- 
ship respectively, and to place the same on the township 
assessment roll in the column for School taxes, and the same 
shall be collected and returned by the Township Treasurer, , 
in the same manner and for the same compensation as town- 
ship taxes. 

{Section 106.) Serious errors have sometimes occurred 
in the assessment of taxes upon Fractional Districts. For 
Directions for assessing taxes upon such Districts, see sec- 
tion 84 and Notes. 



206 PRIMARY SCHOOL LA.Vr. 

AssessBient. ggc. 107. The Supcrvisor shall also assess upon the tax- 
able property of his township two mills upon each dollar 
of the valuation thereof, in each year, and so much of the 
same as the qualified electors of said township shall decide 
by a majority vote, at the annual township meeting, shall 
^o^g»ppi!ed]3e appiiefi to the purchase of books for the District or 
mined by Towuship Libraries, according to the provisions of law, and 
^°'*" the remainder shall belong to the Districts in which it 
was raised for the support of Schools therein, and all mon- 
eys collected, by virtue of this act, on any property not in 
any organized School District of said township, shall be 
Hmr appor- apportioned to the several School Districts of said town- 
^ ' ship, in the same manner as the Primary School fund is now 
apportioned. 

{Section 107.) 1. This section was materially modified 
by the act amending certain sections of the Primary School 
Law, approved February 15, 1859. It is not optional with 
the Supervisors to assess this tax. They are liable to each 
District for its share of the tax, for any neglect or failure 
to assess it. 

The one mill tax was raised to a two mill tax on the con- 
sideration that a District tax of a dollar for each scholar 
should be abolished. No more money will need to be raised 
for the support of Schools than before ; it will only be 
raised in a simpler, and, it is believed, an easier way. In- 
stead of coming through a District tax or rate bill, it will 
be raised at once by township tax. 

It was believed that this tax would nearly relieve the 
Schools from the evil eflfects of rate bills, which have so 
often broken up the Schools and annually prevented thon- 
sands of children from enjoying the opportunities for edu- 
cation. 

2. Annually at the town meetings the voters are to be 
called upon to say how much of this tax shall go to the 
support of Libraries. It is to be hoped that this feature 
of the law will be changed, and some stated proportion of 
the tax set apart by law to support the Libraries. 

3. The money raised by the two mill tax is not to be ap- 



PRIMARY SCHOOL LAW. '207 

Sec. 108. The Supervisor, on delivery of the warrant for statement 
the collection of taxes to the Township Treasurer, shall ered to* ' 
also deliver to said Treasurer, a written statement of the wTth "vJ^- 
amount of School and Library taxes, the amount raised for ^'>*'*<'- 
District purposes on the taxable property of each District 
in the township, the amount belonging to any new District 
on the division of the former District, and the names of all 
persons having judgments assessed under the provisions of 
this chapter upon the taxable property of any District, 
with the amount payable to [each] such person on account 
thereof. 

Sec. 109. The Township Treasurer shall retain in his scbooi t*z 
hands, out of the moneys collected by him, after deducting ed b/tre»-' 
the amount of the tax for township expenses, the full "e'^^o"^. 
amount of the School tax on the assessment roll, and hold rant, etc. 
the same subject to the warrant of the proper District offi- 
cers, to the order of the School Inspectors, or of the per- 
sons entitled thereto. 

portioned, like that formerly raised by the one mill tax, to 
the Districts in proportion to the number of scholars in 
each, but the amount raised upon the property of any Dis- 
trict shall all be apportioned again to said District. So 
much of the tax as shall have been raised upon property not 
included in any organized District, (see section 71,) shall 
be apportioned to all the Districts in proportion to the 
number of children between the ages of 4 and 18 years in 
each. 

4. The Library money when distributed to the Districts 
is to be apportioned in proportion to the number of chil- 
dren of legal School ages, in each. See " District School 
Libraries." 

5. For mode of apportioning money to Fractional Dis- 
tricts, see section 141. 

6. Money raised from the two mill tax is public money, 
and can only be used for the payment of the wages of 
" qualified Teachers." 

(Sections 109 and 110.) For directions in regard to mo- 
neys belonging to Fractional Districts, see sections 141 
and 142. 



208' PBIMARY SCHOOL LAW. 

i!owD8iiip Sec. 110. Said Treasurer sLall, from time to time, apply 
appi7toCo*to the couoty treasurer for all School and Library moneys 
SoaejsTeto^beloDging to liis towDsMp, or the Districts thereof; and 
on receipt of the moneys to be apportioned to the Districts, 
he shall notify the Township Clerk of the amount to be ap- 
portioned. 

CERTAIN DUTIES OP THE COUNTY CLERK. 

^ehl^a^Bd' ^®^* ^^^' ^^ shall be the duty of each county clerk to re- 
.dispose of ceive all such communications as may be directed to him by 
torfro^ the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and dispose of 
^peiinten- i}^q same in the manner directed by said Superintendent. 
€o.'c]erk to Sec. 112. The clerk of each county shall, immediately 
^raJt'nd^nt after receiving the annual reports of the several boards of 
School Inspectors, transmit to the Superintendent of Pub- 
lic Instruction one of the duplicate reports of each of the 
said several Boards, and the other he shall file in his office ; 
and on receiving notice from the Superintendent of the 
Notice cf amount of moneys apportioned to the several townships in 
*8°ap^°' liis county, he shall file the same in his office, and forthwith 
tjoned. deliver a copy thereof to the county treasurer. 
Sec. 113. [This section has been repealed.] 

LIBRABIES. 

library to Sec. 114. A Towuship Library shall be maintained in 
edkTeadli" each orgauzcd township in this State, which shall be the 
township, property of the township, and the parents and guardians 
of all children therein, between the ages of four and 
eighteen years, shall be permitted to use books from such 
Library without charge, being responsible to the township 
for the safe return thereof, and for any injury done thereto, 
according to such rules and regulations as are or may be 
established by the Board of School Inspectors of the town- 
ship. 
Books to be Qqq 215. The books in such Library shall, once in three 

orawa once , r^, .''. tm 

inihree mouths, be distributed by the lownship Librarian among 
^urned'by the SBVcral School Districts of the township, in proportion 
i»c6ctoM. iq ii^Q number of children in each between the ages afore- 
said, as the same shall appear by the last report of the Di- 

(Sedion 114.) The District Library Law (see Ist see- 
tion, District School Libraries,) enacted in February, 1859, 
modifies the force of this section so that it is no longer 
obligatory upon those township3 having District Libraries 
to maintain a Township Library. 



PBIMARY SCHOOL LAW. 20d 

rector thereof, and said books shall be drawn and returned 
by the several Directors for their respective Districts. 

Sec. 116. The clear proceeds of all fines for any breach proceeds of 
of the penal laws of this State, and for penalties, or upon traXo*-'*" 
any recognizances in criminal proceedings, and all equiva- Jjoned by 
lents for exemption, from military duty, when collected in er amopg'*'' 
any county, and paid into the county treasury, together fo^purchase 
with all moneys heretofore collected and paid into said of tooks. 
treasury, on account of such fines or equivalents, and not 
already apportioned, shall be apportioned by the county 
treasurer, between the first and tenth days of April in 
each year, among the several townships in the county, ac- 
cording to the number of children therein, between the 
ages of four and eighteen years, as shown by the last an- 
nual statement of the county clerk on file in his office ; 
which money shall be applied to the purchase of books for 
the Township Library, and for no other purpose. 

Sec. 117. In each District in which a District Library Director to 
has been established, the Director shall, as the Librarian ^j,o^^''"f ^i^. 
of the District, distribute the books therein to the children trict library 
of his District of proper age, and shall collect from the damagii^for 
parents or guardians of such children, all such damages as ["•"^n^booka 
they may respectively become liable to pay on account of belonging to 
any injury done to, or loss of, or neglect to return any of brl°y^'^ 
such books, or any books belonging to the Township Li- 
brary, pursuant to such rules and regulations as shall be 
prescribed by the Board of School Inspectors. 

Sec. 118. If such damages shall have occurred by reason Damages to 
of any injury to, or loss of, or neglect to return any books c^ectld^"^ 
belonging to the Township Library, they shall be collected and applied. 
in the name of the township, and paid into the Township 
Treasury for the benefit of such Township Library, and if 

{Sections 115 and 116.) 1. For limitations of section 115, 
see section 143 ; and also in case of Fractional Districts, 
sections 82 and 83. 

2. In case a township has adopted the District Library 
system, the moneys received from fines, &c., is to be appor- 
tioned to the Districts and parts of Districts, severally. 

[Sections 117 and US.) All of these sections that relates 
to District Libraries, is rendered obsolete and void by the 
later law of 1859. That which relates to Township Libra- 
ries is still in force. 
27 



210 PRIMAEY SCHOOL LAW. 

the same shall have accrued by reason of any injury to, or 
loss of, or neglect to return any books belonging to the 
District Library, the same shall be collected in the name of 
the District, for the benefit of the District Library, 

DISTRIBUTION OF THE INCOME OP THE SCHOOL FUND. 

Interest of Soc. 119. The interest of the Primary School Fund shall 
tobe°dIs™^be distributed on the first Monday of May, or as soon 
buted. thereafter as is practicable, in each year, for the support 
of Primary Schools in the several townships in this State, 
from which reports have been received by the Superin- 
tendent of Public Instruction, in accordance with the pro* 
visions of this chapter, for the School year last closed, in 
Payable to proportiou to the number of children in such townships, 
MS on war- betweou the ages of four and eighteen years ; and the 
Genwlf^^" ^^^^ shall be payable on the warrant of the Auditor G-en- 

eral to the Treasurers of the several counties. 

erto^ecewe' ^^^' ^-^- ^^^ several Couuty Treasurers shall apply for 

moneys and and roccive such moneys as shall have been apportioned 

of ea^c'ff " to their respective counties, when the same shall become 

township. ^^Q . ^^^ each of said Treasurers shall immediately give 

notice to the Treasurer and Clerk of each township in his 

county, of the amount of School moneys apportioned to 

his township, and shall hold the same subject to the order 

of the Township Treasurer. 

Sec. 121. [This section has been repealed.] 
jnsticea to Scc. 122. Justices of the Peace shall have jurisdiction in 
Ifetiori™' all cases of assumpsit, debt, covenant, and trespass on the 
certain ^^80 agaiust School Districts, when the amount claimed, or 
matter in controversy shall not exceed one hundred dol- 
lars, and the parties shall have the same right of appeal as 
in other cases. 
Suit against Sec. 123. When any suit shall be brought against a 
^ommencel School Dlstrict, it shali be commenced by summons, a copy 
of which shall be left with the Assessor of the District, at 
least eight days before the return day thereof. 
tiontoS'ue Sec. 124. No execution shall issue on any judgment 
agamst dia- p^g^inst a School District, nor shall any suit be brought 

{Sections 119 and 120.) No township can share in this 
distribution unless it has made the requisite annual report ; 
fend no District that has not had a School taught therein 
by a qualified Teacher for three months during the School 
year last closed. 



PRIMARY SCHOOL LAW. 211 

thereou, but the same shall be collected in the manner 
prescribed in this chapter. 

Sec. 125. "Whenever any final judgment shall be obtained ^"^inTt°to- 
against a School District, if the same shall not be removed tricttobe 
to any other court, the assessor of the District shall cer- gu^efyi^ol^ 
tify to the Supervisor of the township, and to the Director ^^ aeseesor. 
of the District, the date and amount of such judgment, with . 
the name of the person in whose favor the same was ren- 
dered, and if the judgment shall be removed to another 
court, the Assessor shall certify the same as aforesaid, im- 
mediately after the final determination thereof against the 
District. 

Sec. 126. If the Assessor shall fail to certify the judgment 'f. assessor 
as required in the preceding section, it shall be lawful for ttfy, party" 
the party obtaining the same, his executors, administrators "aJ^ffj^om 
or assigns, to file with the Supervisor the certificate of ji^sticeor 
the justice or clerk of the court rendering the judgment, 
showing the facts which should have been certified by the 
Assessor. 

Sec. 127. If the District against whom any such judgment if district in 
shall be rendered, is situated in part in two or more town- |o^q7iii>^ 
ships, a certificate thereof shall be delivered as aforesaid certificate 
to the Supervisor of each township in which such District to supesvi- 
is in part situated. _ _ ... '°"'^^'''^- 

Sec. 128. The Supervisor or Supervisors receiving either supemswa 
of the certificates of a judgment as aforesaid, shall proceed Imounfof 
to assess the amount thereof, with interest from the date of Ju-igFi^nt 
the judgment to the time when the warrant for the coUec-est; how 
tion thereof will expire, upon the taxable property of the and'^re^tum- 
District, placing the same on the next township assessment ^^ 
roll, in the column for School taxes, and the same proceed- 
ings shall be had, and the same shall be collected and re- 
turned in the same manner as other Distriet taxes. 

PENALTIES AND LIABILITIES. 

Sec. 129. Every taxable inhabitant receiving the notice Peaaity for 
mentioned in the first and second sections of this chapter, fe^feTve m- 
who shall neglect or refuse duly to serve and return such^^^^^^rst 
notice, and every Chairman of the first District meeting in etc. 
any District, who shall willfully neglect or refuse to per- 
form the duties enjoined on him in this chapter, shall res- 
pectively forfeit the sum of five dollars. 

Sec. 130. Every person duly elected to the oflice of Mod- Penalty on. 
erator. Director or Assessor of a School District, who shall o^rg"or nog- 
neglect or refuse, without sufficient cause, to accept guch^**'''®**= 
office and serve therein, or who, having entered upon the 
duties of his office, shall neglect or refuse to perform any 



212 PRIMABY SCHOOL LAW. 

duty required of him by virtue of Ms office, shall forfeit the 
sum of ten dollars. 
Sptltorg ^®^- 1^1' Every person duly elected or appointed a 
not quaii- School Inspector, who shall neglect or refuse, without suffi- 
te^kt^d^t^y cient cause, to qualify and serve as such, or who, having 
entered upon the duties of his office, shall neglect or refuse 
to perform any duty required of him by virtue of his of- 
fice, shall forfeit the sum of ten dollars. 
lhooi''L ^^^'- ^^2° If ^^y Board of School Inspectors shall neglect 
spectors lia- or rofuso to make and deliver to the township clerk their 
3ect.°' °^^" annual report to the county clerk, as required in this chap- 
ter, within the time limited therefor, they shall be liable 
to pay the full amount of money lost by their failure, with 
interest thereon, to be recovered by the Township Treas- 
urer in the name of th^ township, in an action of debt, or 
on the case. [See section 79.] 
ciCTkM^- ^®^* ^^^' ^^ ^^y township clerk shall neglect or refuse 
jeoting to to transmit the report mentioned in the preceding section., 
porte™iiiwe to the couuty clerk, as required in this chapter, he shall 
3^t™°"°^ be liable to pay the full amount lost by such neglect or re- 
fusal, with interest thereon, to be recovered in the manner 
specified in the preceding section. 
Co. clerk Sec. 134. Every county clerk who shall neglect or refuse 
toSlke"ln.to transmit the report required in this chapter, to be made 
labiVfor '^*' ^y ^^^ ^^ *^® Superintendent of Public Instruction, within 
amountiost. the time therefor limited, shall be liable to pay to each 
township the full amount which such township, or any 
School District therein, shall lose by such neglect or refu- 
sal, with interest thereon, to be recovered in the manner 
specified in the last two preceding sections. 
Money col- Soc. 135. All the mouoys collected or received by any 
count of "^ township treasurer under the provisions of either of the 
^o^Y'oI^^^^e last preceding sections, shall be apportioned and 
distributed to the School Districts entitled thereto, in the 
same manner, and in the same proportion, that the moneys 
lost by any neglect or refusal therein mentioned would, 
according to the provisions of this chapter, have been ap- 
portioned and distributed. 

Sec. 136. The Township Board of each township shall 

The following decisions of courts, copied from page 420, 
School Laws, published by Hon. Francis W. Shearman, 
Superintendent in 1852, will throw light upon the sections 
relating to penalties : 

Officers required by law to exercise their judgments, are 



PRIMARY SCHOOL LAW. 218 

have power, and is hereby required, to remove from office, Removal of. 
opon satisfactory proof, after at least five days' notice tome^useof 
the party implicated, any District officer or School Inspec- ™°°^^ 
tor who shall have illegally used or disposed of any of the 
public moneys entrusted to his charge. 

not answerable for mistakes of law, or mere errors of judg- 
ment, without any fraud or malice. — Jenkins vs. Wcddron^ 
11th Johnson's Beports, 114. 

A public officer who is required by law to act in certain 
cases, according to his judgment or opinion, and subject to 
penalties for his neglect, is not liable to a party for an 
omission arising from a mistake or want of skill, if acting 
in good faith. — Seaman vs. Paten, 2d Gaine's Reports, 312. 

But an officer entruiited by the common law or by stat- 
ute, is liable to an action for negligence in the performance 
of his trust, or for fraud or neglect in the execution of his 
office. — Jenner vs. JoUff'e, 9 John. Rep. 381. 

The collector or other officer who executes process, has 
peculiar protection. He is protected, although the court 
or officer issuing such process have not, in fact, juris- 
diction of the case ; if, on the face of the process, it ap- 
nears that such court or officer had jurisdiction of the sub- 
ject-matter, and nothing appears in such process to apprise 
the officer but that there was jurisdiction of the person of 
the party affected by the process. — Savacool vs. Boughton, 
5 WenddVs Reports, 170.— [A^. T. Dec. 

In a decision of the Supreme Court of New York. (5 
Wendell, p. 234,) the Court said : 

"It will be obs|rved that these cases do not go upon the 
ground that the claim by an individual to be a public offi- 
cer, and by acting as such, is merely prima facie evidence 
that he is an officer de jure, (of right,) but the principle 
they establish is this : that an individual coming into office 
by color of an election or appointment, is an officer defacto, 
(in fact,) and his acts in relation +o the public, or third ^ev- 



214 PRIMAEY SCHOOL LAW. 

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS RELATING TO PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 

I'ersoi's^^^ Sec. 137. Any person paying taxes in a Scliool District 
ir^"district in which he does not reside, may send scholars to any Dis- 
^*ifoof"and trict School therein, and such person shall, for that pnr- 
^ere^'"^ pose, have and enjoy all the rights and privileges of a 
resident of snch District, except the right of voting therein, 
and shall be rated therein for Teachers' wages and fuel, 
and in the census of such District, and the apportionment 
of moneys from the School fund, scholars so sent, and gen- 
erally attending such School, shall be considered as be- 
ProTiso; longing to such District : Provided, That a majority of the 
qualified voters attending at any regular meeting in the 
District in which such person resides, shall have deter- 
mined that no School shall be taught in said District for 
the year : Or provided further, That such persons shall 
not reside in any organized School District, 
mendis- Sec. 138. Whenever any portion of a School District 
^^ded'^&f'' shall be set off and annexed to any other District, or organ- 
seLldYnd ^^^^ '^^^^ ^ ^^^ ^^^' after a tax for District purposes other 
not collect- thau the payment of any debts of the District shall have 
coiie^t7d^*^been levied upon the taxable property thereof, but not 
tion/d^^*" collected, such tax shall be collected in the same manner 
as if no part of such District had been set off, and the said 
former District, and the District to which the portion so 
set off may be annexed, or the new District organized from 
such portion, shall each be entitled to such proportion of 
said tax as the amount of taxable property in each part 
thereof bears to the whole amount of taxable property oil 
which such tax is levied. 
District in ;:i«ec. 139. For the purpose of apportioning the income of 
twn°hi>rthe Primary School Fund among the several townships, a 

sons, are valid until he is removed, although it be conceded 
that his election or appointment was illegal." 

" In the case of Trustees and Collectors of School Districts.^ 
general reputation of their being such officers, and proof 
of their acting as such, is prima facie sufficient, without 
producing evidence of their election, especially where there 
is evidence of their acting under color of an election."— 
(7 Wendell Rep. f. 341.) 

{Se-ction 139.) The latter part of this section, included 
in brackets, is virtually repealed by the amendment of 



PRIMARY SCHOOL LAW. 215 

District situated in part in two or more townships shall t)e»icomeof 
considered as belonp:;ing to the township to which the an- how"appor- ' 
nnal report of the Director is required to be made ; [but """^'^ ®*°' 
money raised in any one of such townships for the support 
of Schools therein, shall be apportioned to the Districts 
and parts of Districts therein, according to the number of 
children of the proper age in each.] 

Sec. 140. If any Supervisor shall neglect or refuse to^^PfJ^^." 
assess the taxes provided for in section one hundred and nei^iect to 
seven, of chapter fifty-eight, of the Revised Statutes, he taiTtaxeV. 
shall be liable to pay to any School District the full amount ^°'^^°^ 
lost to such District by such neglect or refusal, with the 
interest thereon, to be recovered by the Assessor in the 
name of the School District, in an action of debt, or on the 
case. 

Sec. 141. The Supervisor of each township, on the de- supervisor 
livery of the warrant for the collection of taxes to the statement 
Township Treasurer, shall also deliver to said Treasurer a|^e^°^°fjPf 
written statement, certified by him, of tho amount of the certain 
taxes levied under section one hundred and seven of saidseo. ios 
chapter, upon any property lying within the bounds of a**"*^®" 
fractional School District, a part of which is situate within 
his township, and the returns of which are made to the 
Clerk of some other township ; and the said Township 
Treasurer shall pay to the Township Treasurer of such 
other township the amount of the taxes so levied and cer- 
tified to him for the use of such fractional School District. 

Sec. 142. Each Treasurer of a township, to the Clerk of 



section 107. Money now raised in any township for the 
support of Schools therein, is counted as belonging to the 
Districts in which it is raised, each District receiving back 
all it paid of such tax, except in case of Library money. 

{Section 140.) The section numbered 140 in the Com- 
piled Laws having been repealed by the act amending the 
School Law, approved Feb. 15, 1859, the numbering of the 
sections added by various acts to the School Laws is begun 
with this number. This section, with the three following, 
was passed April 2, 1850. 

(Sections 141 and 142.) These sections, together with 
section 139, give the rule for the apportionment of School 
moneys to fractional Districts. In making the apportion- 



216 PSIMARY SCHOOL LAW. 

Town treas- whicli tlie retums of any fractional School District shall 
nrer's du- ^^ made, shall apply to the Treasurer of any other town- 
ship in which any part of snch fractional School District 
may be situate, for any money to which such District may 
Taxes in ^® entitled; and when so received it shall be certified to 
fractional the Towuship Clerk, and apportioned in the same manner 

as other taxes for School purposes. 
School In- Sec. 143. The Board of School Inspectors shall have 
^y'sns- power to suspend the operation of section one hundred and 
operatton of fi^eon of Said chapter, whenever they shall be of opinion 
section 115. that the convenience or the interests of the people of their 
township will be promoted thereby, and to restore the 
same, as in their judgment they shall think best. 

Sec. 144. The words " qualified voters," as used in chap- 
ter fifty-eight of the revised statutes of eighteen hundred 

ment of School moneys, a fractional District is to be treated 
as if belonging wholly to the township in which its School- 
house is situated, and to which the annual report of the 
Director is to be made. But as no Supervisor can assess, 
or Township Treasurer collect, taxes upon property lying 
outside of their own township, the taxes upon each frac- 
tion of the District, must bo assessed and collected by the 
officers of the township in which such fraction is situated* 
The taxes once collected, they are all to be paid over to 
the Treasurer of the township in which the School-house 
is situated. All the public moneys belonging to the frac- 
tional District having thus come into the hands of the 
Treasurer of the township to which such District is counted 
as belonging, the Clerk of such township apportions the 
money to the District as if the entire District had been 
moved bodily into the township. All the money due from 
the Primary School fund to such District comes directly 
to the Treasurer of the township in which the School-house 
stands. 

(Section 143 ) In case of the suspension of section 115. 
any resident of the township may draw books directly from 
the township library, uuder such regulations as the Inspec- 
tors mav establish. 



PRIMARY SCHOOL LAW. 217 

forty-six, entitled '' Of Primary Scboois," except In the wuo are 
fifth section thereof, shall be taken and construed to mean vouw'^n 
and include all taxable persons residing in the District of f^.^°°'°'^ 
the age of twenty-one years, and who have resided therein 
for the period of three months next preceding the time of 
voting. 

Sec. 145. In all cases where the Board of School Iu8pec-.^*^ooi la. 
tors of any township shall form a School District therein, speetors 
and where no election for School District officers shall be potnt ins- 
held, and where any School District shall neglect or refuse „"« '^^' 
to elect, at the proper time, the necessary School District 
officers, it shall be the duty of the Township Board of 
School Inspectors of the township in which such District 
is situated to appoint the officers of such District from 
among the male persons residing in such District, of the 
age of twenty-one years, who are tax payers therein ; which 
officers thus appointed shall severally file with the Direc- 
tor a written acceptance of the offices to which they shall ^^",^"g°g^' 
have been appointed, which shall be recorded by the Di- 
rector. 

Sec. 146. Every such School District shall be deemed ^^"Kfl- 
duly organized, when any two of the officers thus appoint- tob«or^- 
ed shall have filed their acceptance as aforesaid ; and euch'"*^ 
School District and its officers shall be entitled to all the 
rights, privileges and immunities, and be subject to all 
the duties and liabilities conferred upon School Districts 
by law. 

GRADED AND HIGH SCHOOLS. 

Sec. 147. Any District containing more than two hun- District 
dred children between the ages of four and eighteen years, 
may elect a District Board consisting of six Trustees : 
Provided^ The District shall so determine at an annual 
meeting, by a vote of two thirds of the voters attending 
such meeting. When such a change in the District Board Term of 9f- 
shall have been voted, the voters at such annual meeting te«s 
shall proceed immediately to elect two Trustees for a term 
of one year, two for a term of two years, and two for a 
term of three years ; and annually thereafter two Trustees 
shall be elected, whose term of office shall be three years. 

Sections 144, 145 and 146 were passed February 8, 1855. 
Section 145 is applicable only to neidy organized Districts. 
In Districts in which an election has once properly been 
held, vacancies occurring in the District Board must be 

filled as provided in section 66. 

2S 



218 PBIMAEY SCHOOL LAW, 

Officers to I Sec. 148. WitMn ten days after their election, said Trns- 
^tooard^'tees ghall file with the Director a written acceptance of 
the office to which they have been elected, and shall an- 
nually elect, from their own nnmber, a Moderator, a Di- 
rector, and an Assessor, who shall perform the duties 
prescribed by law for snch officers, except as hereinafter 
Tacancies. provided. Said Board shall have power to fill any vacancy 
that may occur in their number, until the next annual 
meeting. 
«onof*'*" ^^^* ^^^' ^^^^ Trustees shall have power to classify and 
scholars, grade the scholars in such District, and cause them to be 
taught in such Schools or departments as they may deem 
ffigh school. Q2:pedient ; to establish in said District a High School, 

Sections 147, 148, 149, 150 and 151, were passed Feb, 
14, 1859. 

(Sections 147 and 14S.) 1. This law takes the place of 
the old law for Union or Graded Schools, which was em- 
braced in Sections 92 and 93, now repealed. The Dis- 
tricts organized under those sections, with the enlarged 
Board, will now find it necessary to adopt the organization 
here provided, or go back to the common organization 
with the three ordinary District officers. There is no 
longer any authority for the election of four Trustees in 
addition to the common District Board. 

2. The authority to contract with Teachers rests with 
the entire Board instead of the Director. 

(Section 149.) 1. It will be seen that the powers of th« 
Board embrace some provisions heretofore vested in indi- 
vidual officers, and some which have been exercised by the 
Districts at large. 

2. Even resident pupils can be charged a fixed rate of 
tuition in the High School, but not in the ordinary grades. 
Tuition of resident pupils in the High School is to be col- 
lected by the Assessor as any other rate bill ; or, it may 
be required as that of non-resident pupils, in advance. 

3. The High School may be merely an advanced depart- 
ment taught in the same building with the ordinary grades, 
but not in the same room. 



PRIMARY SCHOOL LAW. 219 

when ordered by a vote of the District at any annual 
meeting, and to determine the qnalifications for admission 
to such School, and the prices to be paid for tuition in any Tuition, 
branches taught therein ; to employ all Teachers necessary 
for the several Schools of said District; to prescribe 
courses of studies and text books for the use of said Schools, Textbooks, 
and to make such rules and regulations as they may think covem- 
needful for the government of tho Schools, and for the""*"'^* 
preservation of the property of the District; and also to 
determine tho rates for tuition to be paid by non-resident 
pupils attending any School in said District. 

Sec. 150. The said Trustees shall present, at each annual ^^^°"a' 
meeting, a statement in writing of all receipts and expen-ofreMipts 
ditures on behalf of the District, for the preceding year, dUnr^cY^" 
and of all funds then on hand, and an estimate of the^'^timatefor 
amounts necessary to be raised by the District, in addition '^*™°^^''" 
to the money to be received from the Primary School fund 
and other sources, for the support of the Schools of said 
District for the ensuing year, and for the incidental ex- 
penses thereof; and the said District may, at each annual ^'^tnct may 
meeting, vote such sums to be raised by tax, upon thelup^port 
taxable property of the District, as may be required to""^'-"*^' 
maintain the several Schools thereof, for the year. 

Sec. 151. Any two or more contiguous Districts mayirmonof 
unite to form a single District, for the purpose of estab-'^'''^''°*^- 
lishing Graded or High Schools, under the provisions of 
this act, whenever the said Districts shall severally, by a 
two-thirds vote of the legal voters attending the annual 
meeting in said Districts, agree thereto^ Provided, The 

{Section 150.) The powers granted to the District in 
this section authorize it to raise by tax a sufficient sum 
to make all the Schools in the District free for the year. 

(Section 151.) 1. As this law does not limit the extent 
of territory which may be embraced in the District, and 
as the organization is essentially different from that of the 
ordinary District, the limitation to nine sections of land 
does not apply here. 

2. If the voters prefer, they may still apply to the In- 
spectors to alter the boundaries of the Distriot so as to 
embrace the requisite number of children ; and this must 
be done in all cases where the entire territory of the Dis- 
tricts to be united is not included. 



two-tturds 

■rote 



nate site. 



220 PRIMARY SCHOOL LAW. 

intention to take such vote shall have been expressed in 
the notices ot such annual meeting's : Provided, further, 
That the number of scholars in such Districts, when rmited, 
shall not be less than two hundred. 

SOHOOL HOUSE SITES. — ADDITIONAL PROYISIOMS. 

I^^lte^'^ Sec. 152, The qualified voters in any School District, hav- 
sitefor ins^ more than three hundred children between the aj^es of 
iiouse'by four and eighteen years, residing in such District, shall 
have power, when lawfully assembled, to designate by a 
vote of two-thirds of those present, any number of sites 
for School-houses, including a site for a Union School- 
house, and to change the same by a similar vote, at any 
regular meeting : Provided, That the whole number of sites 
or School-houses in any one District shall not exceed five : 
wiieaKs- Provided, further, That in case two- thirds cannot agree 
maydesig- upou a Site lor Said School-house, that a majority oi the 
voters of said District shciil have power to instruct the 
Disti'ict Board to locate said site. 

Sec. 153. Whenever a site for a School-house shall be 
how aJcw-^' designated, determined or established, in any manner pro- 
tamed, vided by law, in any School District, and such District 
shall be unable to agree with the owner of such site upon 
the compensation to be paid therefor, or in case such Dis- 
trict shall, for any cause, be unable to purchase or procure 
a title to such site, the District Board of such District may 
authorize any one or more of its members to apply to the 
Circuit Judge, if there be one in the county, or to a Cir- 
cuit Court Commissioner of the county, or to any Justice 
of the Peace of the city or township in which such School 
District shall be situated, for a jury to ascertain and deter- 
mine the just compensation to be made for the real estate 
required by such School District for such site, and the ne- 
Appiieatioa cessity for using th^e same, which application shall be m 
for jury writing, and shall describe the real estate required by such 
District as accurately as is required in a conveyance of real 
estate. 
Jury to be ggc. 154. It shall be the duty of such Circuit Judge, Cir- 
cuit Court Commissioner, or Justice of the Peace, upon such 
application being made to him, to issue a summons or ven- 

[Sections 152 to 170 inclusive, were passed Feb. 7, 1855. 
Compiled Laws, page 762.] 

For other provisions in reference to School-house sites, 
see sections 13, 19, 20, 21 and 59. 



summoned. 



PRIMARY SCHOOL LAW. 221 

ire, directed to the Slierlff or any Constable of the county, 
commanding him to summon eighteen freeholders residing 
in the vicinity of such site, who are in nowise of kin to the 
owner of such real estate, and not interested therein, to 
appear before such Judge, Commissioner or Justice, at the 
time and place therein named, not less than twenty, nor 
more than thirty days from the time of issuing such sum- 
mons or venire, as a jury to ascertain and determine the 
just compensation to be made for the real estate required 
by such School District for such site, and the necessity for 
using the same, and to notify tho owner or occupant ofo^nM-tobe 
such real estate, if he can be found in the county, of the 
time when and the place where such jury is summoned to 
appear, and the object for which said jury is summoned; 
which Hotice shall be served at least ten days before the 
time specified in such summons or venire for the jury to 
appear, as hereinbefore mentioned. 

' Sec. 155. Thirty days' previous notice of the time when, ^^°*j**^^gj.j, 
and the place whore such jury will assemble, shall be given owner ;sud. 
by the District Board of such District, where the owner or^"""^"^- 
owners of such real estate shall be unknown, non-residents 
of the coanty, minors, insane, non compos mentis, or inmates 
of any prison, by publishing the same m a newspaper 
published in the county where such real estate is situated; 
or if there be no newspaper published in such county, then 
in some newspaper published in the nearest county where 
a newspaper is published, once in each week for four suc- 
cessive weeks, which notice shall be signed by the District 
Board, or by the Director or Assessor of such District, and 
shall describe the real estate required for such site, and 
state the time when, and place where such jury will as- 
semble, and the object for which they will assemble, or 
such notice may be served on such owner personally, or by 
leaving a copy thereof at his last place of residence. 

Sec. 156. It shall be the duty of such Judge, Commis- R«tMn o', 

-r . • T r ,1 J • remre, and 

3ioner or Justice, and of the persons summoned as jurors, the pro- 
as hereinbefore provided, and of the Sheriff or Constable t^loi! 
summoning them, to attend at the time and place specified 
in such summons or venire ; and the officer who summoned 
the jury shall return such summons or venire to the officer 
who issued the same, with the names of the persons sum- 
moned by him as jurors, and shall certify the manner of 
notifying the owner (or owners) of such real estate, if he 
was found, and if he could not be found in said county, he 
shall certify that fact ; either party may challenge any of 
the said jurors for the same causes as in civil actions. If 
more than twelve of said jurors in attendance Shall be found 



222 



PRIMARY SCHOOL LA.W. 



process. 



Jury to be 
sworn. 



qualified to serve as jurors, the officer ia attendance, and 
who issued the summons or venire for such jury, shall strike 
from the list of jurors a number sufficient to reduce the 
number of jurors in attendance to twelve ; and in case less 
than twelve of the number so summoned as jurors shall 
attend, the Sheriff or Constable shall summon a sufficient 
number of freeholders to make up the number of twelve ; 
and the officer issuing the summons or venire for such jury, 
Attaciiment maj issuo an attachment for any person summoned as a 
SceTbe^jnror who shall fail to attend, and may enforce obedience 
fi!!!.°!„*° to such summons, venire or attachment, as Oourts^ of 
Record or Justice's Courts are authorized to do in civil 
cases. 

Sec. 157. The twelve persons selected as the jury shall 
be duly sworn by the Judge, Commissioner or Justice in 
attendance, faithfully and impartially to inquire, ascertain 
and determine, the just compensation to be made for the 
real estate required by such School District for such site, 
and the necessity for using the same in the manner pro- 
posed by such School District, and the persons thus sworn 
shall constitute the jury in such case. Subpoenas for wit- 
nesses may be issued, and their attendance compelled by 
such Circuit Judge, Commissioner or Justice, in the same 
manner as may be done by the Circuit Court or by a Jus- 
tice's Court in civil cases. The jury may visit and examine 
the premises, and from such examination and such other 
evidence as may be presented before them, shall ascertain 
and determine the necessity for using such real estate in 
the manner and for the purpose proposed by such School 
District, and the just compensation to be made therefor ; 
and if such jury shall find that it is necessary that such 
real estate shall be used in the manner or for the purpose 
proposed by such School District, they shall sign a certifi- 
cate in writing, stating that it is necessary that said real 
estate (describing it) should be used as a site for a School- 
house for such District, also stating the sum to be paid by 
such School District as the just compensation for the same. 
The said Circuit Judge, Circuit Court Commissioner, or 
Justice of the Peace, shall sign and attach to, and endorse 
upon the certificate thus subscribed by the said jurors, a 
certificate stating the time when, and the place where, the 
said jury assembled, that they were by him dulyswornas 
herein required, and that they subscribed the said certifi- 
cate ; he shall also state in such certificate who appeared 
for the respective parties on such hearing and inquiry, and 
shall deliver such certificate to the Director, or to any 
member of the District Board of such School District. 



Sabpoeaa for 
TTitaeases. 



Jury to de • 
termine ne- 
cessity for 
taking land 
and com- 
pensation 
tberefor. 



Court to 
make cer- 
tifieabe. 



PEIMABY SCHOOL LAW. 

Sec. 158. Upon filing such certificate in the Circuit Judgment: 
Oourt of the county where such real estate is situated, tuereVt"" 
such Court shall, if it finds all the proceedings regular, 
render judgment for the sum specified in the certificate 
signed by such jury, against such School District, which 
judgment shall be collected and paid in the manner as 
other judgments against School Districts are collected and 
paid. 

Sec. 159. In case the owner of such real estate shall bewhenowner 
unknown, insane, non compos mentis, or an infant, or oannot "t "f moJ^' 
be found within auch county, it shall be lawful for the s^'i^^ -t" ^^fth*^" 
School District to deposit the amount of such judgment treaaarer. ' 
with the County Treasurer of such county, for the use of 
the person or persons entitled thereto ; and it shajl be the 
duty of such County Treasurer to receive such money, and 
at the time of receiving it to give a receipt or certificate 
to the person depositing the same with him, stating the 
time when such deposit was made, and for what purpose ; 
and such County Treasurer and his sureties shall be liable 
on his bond, for any money which shall come into his hands 
under the provisions of this act, in case he shall refuse to 
pay or account for the same as herein required : Provided, 
That no such money shall be drawn from such County «<>«• to be 

m 1 n , ^ /~i' • 1. /-i JL drawn Crom 

Treasurer, except upon an order ot the Circuit Court, co. trsaa- 
Circuit Court Commissioner, or Judge of Probate, as'"®'^" 
hereinafter provided. 

Sec. 160. Upon satisfactory evidence being presented to ou payment 
the Circuit Court of the county where such real estate lies, decreeThJt 
that such judgment, or the sum ascertained and determined title be vest- 
by the jury as the just compensation to be paid by such District 
District for such site, has been paid, or that the amount 
thereof has been deposited according to the provisions of 
the preceding section, such Court shall by an order or de- 
cree, adjudge and determine, that the title in fee of such 
real estate shall, from the time of making such payment or 
deposit, forever thereafter be vested in such School Dis- 
trict and assigns ; a copy of which decree, certified by the 
Clerk of said county, shall be recorded in the office of the 
Register of Deeds of such coanty, and the title of such 
real estate shall thenceforth, from the time of making such 
payment or deposit, be vested forever thereafter in such ' 
School District and its assigns in fee. 

Sec. 161. Such School District may, at any time after when oa- 
making the payment or deposit hereinbefore required, en-po«e^i^* 
ter upon, and take possession of such real estate, for the 
use of said District. 



224 



PRIMAKY SCHOOL LAW. 



Sec. 162. In case the jury hereinbefore provided for shall 
not agree, another jury may be snmmoned in the same 
manner, and the same proceedings may be had, except that 
no further notice of the proceedings shall be necessary ; 
but instead of such notice, the Judge, Commissioner, or 
Justice, may adjourn the proceedings to such time as he 
shall think reasonable, not exceeding thirty days, and shall 
make the process to summon a jury returnable at such 
time and place as the said proceedings shall be adjourned 
to ; such proceedings may be adjourned from time to time 
hj the said Judge, or Commissioner, or Justice, on the ap- 
plication of either party, and for good cause, to be shown 
by the party applying for such adjournment, unless the 
other party shall consent to such adjournment ; but such 
adjournments shall not in all exceed three months. 

ADDITIONAL POWEES OP GRADED OR UNION SCHOOL DISTRICTS. 

District^ Sec. 163. The District Board of any School District shall 
^^Im^at have power to fix the amount of tuition to be paid by non- 
^^*^^|^°°^° resident scholars attending any of the Schools in said Dis- 
sehoiars ia fcrict ; and in cases where there shall be a Union School in 

certain 
cases. 
Make laws 
for school . 



When JBjy 
Baanot 
a^ee, pro- 
se edings 
aiay be ad 
}Ourned,a!id 
Eew jury 
sHcainoDerl. 



Apjoarn 
ment not 
1o exceed 
three 
months 



any such District, to be paid by scholars attending such 
Union School, and to make and enforce suitable by-laws 
and regulations for the government and management of 
such Union School, and for the preservation of the prop- 
erty of such District. Such District Board shall also have 
power to regulate and classify the studies, and prescribe 
the books to be used in such School. 



{Section 163.) 1. The term "Union School" means sim- 
ply a Graded School, and is usually understood as embrac- 
ing also a High School department. The powers conferred 
in this section, are given to any District, without regard 
to the form of the District Board. 

2. In case the District Board do not fix any rate of tui- 
tion to be paid by non-residents, such pupils must be 
charged at the same rates as resident pupils upon the rate 
bill ; except that non-resident pupils have no claim to 
share in the public money applied to reduce the rate bills 
of resident scholars. 

3. Non-resident Scholars. — No scholars are to be counted 



PRIMARY SCHOOL LAW. 225 

Sec. 164. No alteration shall be made in the boundaries How ijou^a.. 
of any School District, having a Union School, without the trkTaite«* 
written consent of a majoiity of the District Board of such 
District. 

as resident who merely enter the District for the purpose 
of attending the School, while their parents or legal guar- 
dians continue to reside elsewhere. Merely boarding in 
the District while attending School, or hiring to work for 
some one within the District and to attend School, cannot 
constitute any scholar a resident. See State Constitution, 
Art. 7, Sec. 5. 

4. The powers expressed in the last clause of this sec- 
tion were probably designed to be granted to District 
Boards having charge of a Union School ; but as no defini- 
tion of a Union School is given, they may, without violence, 
be interpreted as belonging to any common District which 
may find occasion to have their School taught in two or 
more departments ; this constituting, in the ordinary accep- 
tation of the term, a Union School. 

5. The authority to prescribe the text books to be used 
in the District Schools, which, by the nature and necessity 
of the case, vests in the District Board, as has been decided 
in the State of New York, is by this section given ex- 
pressly to the Board. The custom of allowing each parent 
or pupil to decide what books the pupil shall use, is the 
source of endless confusion and greatly hinders the pro- 
gress of the Schools. The wishes of the Teacher, espe- 
cially if he is employed permanently or for a protracted 
term, should be carefully consulted, as the text books are 
his tools for work, and a man will usually work best 
with tools of his own choice ; but the policy of allowing 
every Teacher who comes to tarry for three months, to in- 
troduce some new book, is of doubtful expediency. The 
great diversity of text books, found frequently in the Dis- 
trict School, is one of the most serious evils in our system 
of instruction. District Boards should carefully adopt 

29 



226 PRTMAEY SCHOOL LAW. 

Districts Sec. 165. Any School District having more than three 
thwe^hun- hundred children, between the ages of four and eighteen 
wn^bet'we^en J^^'^'s, residing in such District, shall have power and an- 
fourand thoritj to borrow money to pay for a site for a Union 
yeirsfmay School-hoiise, to oroct buildings thereon, and to furnish 
borrow mo- -q^q game, by a vote of two-thirds of the qualified voters of 
said District present at any annual meeting, and by a like 
of amount '^^^^ ^^ ^^7 Other regular meeting : Provided, That the 
times of holding such meetings shall not be less than five 
days, nor more than six months apart, and that the whole 
debt of any such District, at any one time, for money thus 
borrowed, shall not exceed fifteen thousand dollars. 
fe°p™a''^ Sec. 166. The Circuit Judge, Judge of Probate, or Cir- 
with county cuit Court Commissiouer of any county where any money 
may^be^' has been deposited with the County Treasurer of such 
drawn from couuty, as hereinbefore provided, shall upon the written 
application of any person or persons entitled to such mo- 
ney, and upon receiving satisfactory evidence of the right 
of such applicant to the money thus deposited, make an or- 
der, directing the County Treasurer to pay the money thus 
deposited with him to said applicant ; and it shall be the 
duty of such County Treasurer, on the presentation of such 
order, with the receipt of the person named therein en- 
dorsed on said order, and duly acknowledged, in the same 
manner as conveyances of real estate are required to be 
acknowledged, to pay the same ; and fsuch order, with the 
receipt of the applicant or person in whose favor the same 
shall be drawn, shall, in all courts and places, be presump- 
tive evidence in favor of such County Treasurer, to exon- 
erate him from ail liability to any person or persons for 
said money thus paid him. 
com4)ensa- Soc. 167. Circuit Judges, Circuit Court Commissioners, 
cer° aad^u- and Justicos of the Peace, for any services rendered under 
row on pro- j^\^Q provisions of this act, shall be entitled to the same 
obtain sit3 fees and compensation as for similar services in other spe- 
hJufe,^""^' cial proceedings ; Jurors, Constables and Sheriffs, shall be 

some set of text books, and changes in this set should be 
rarely made, and only on the most mature deliberation. As 
it is desirable that the uniformity of text books should ex- 
tend as far as possible through neighboring Schools, the 
law has made it the duty of the Superintendent of Public 
Instruction to select and publish a list of Text Books. Such 
a list will be found at the close of this volume. 



PRIMARY SCHOOL LAW. 22T 

entitled to the same fees as for like services in civil cases 
in the Circnit Court. 

Sec. 168. In case any Circuit Judge, Circuit Court Com-^tenjndge 
missioner, or Justice of the Peace, who shall issue a sum-unawe'to 
mons or venire for a jury, shall be unable to attend to anv ^*u^'"'' *"' 

_, 1 iT • 1 1 /-.. otner may 

or the subsequent proceedings in such case, any other Cir- fi°i8h pro- 
cuit Court Commissioner or Justice of the Peace, may at- "*'^"'*'^* 
tend and finish said proceedings. 

Sec. 169. Whenever any School District shall have voted bod-Js m»y 
to borrow any sum of money, the District Board of such ^r moMy 
District is hereby authorized to issue the bonds of such i"*"***- 
District in such form, and executed in such manner by the 
Moderator and Director of such District, and in such sums, 
not less than fifty dollars, as such District Board shall di- 
rect, and with such rate of interest,''not exceeding ten per iat«Mt 
centum per annum, and payable at such time or times as *''*'**^ 
the said District shall have directed. 

Sec. 170. Whenever any money shall have been borrow- i^!*^et may 
ed by any School District, the taxable inhabitants of such pay^oaa. 
District are hereby authorized, at any regular meeting of 
such District, to impose a tax on the taxable property in 
such District for the purpose of paying the principal thus 
borrowed, or any part thereof, and the interest thereon, to 
be levied and collected as other School District taxes are 
collected. 

School Inspectors — (See Section 68.) The office of School 
Inspectors was not created by that chapter of the Statutes 
known as " The Primary School Law." It will be found as 
follows : 

" There shall be elected annually on the first Monday of 
April, in each organized township, * * * one Town- 
ship Clerk, who shall be ex-o'fficio School Inspector," * * 
and one School Inspector. [Article 11, Section 1 of the 
Constitution.] 

"The annual meeting of each township shall be held on 
the first Monday of April, in each year ; and at such meet- 
ing there shall be an election [by ballot] for * * * one 
School Inspector." [Compiled Laws, Chap. 12, Sec. 8.] 

" Each School Inspector elected as aforesaid, shall hold 
his office for two years, and until his successor shall be 



228 PRIMARY SCHOOL LAW. 

elected and qualified, except when elected to fill a va- 
cancy ; in which case he shall hold duriog the unexpired 
portion of the regular term : Provided, That where there 
shall have been no previous election for School Inspectors 
in any township, there shall be two such Inspectors elect- 
ed, one for one year, and one for two years, who shall sev- 
erally hold their office accordingly." [Compiled Laws, 
Chap. 12, Sec. 13.] 

Sec, 95, Chap. 12, of the Compiled Laws, establishes the 
compensation of Inspectors at one dollar per day. 



SCHOOL DISTRICT LIBRARIES 

[Act Approved February 15, 1859.] 



Sec. 1. At the annual town meetings to be held in oist^o* "• 
April next, the legal voters voting in the respective town- esuwi^ed. 
ships of the State, shall determine by ballot for the contin- 
uance of the Township Library, or for the establishment 
of District Libraries in the place thereof. A separate box 
shall be kept for their votes, and the ballots shall have 
written or printed thereon, " Township Library," or " Dis- 
trict Libraries." If a majority of the ballots so cast in any 
Township shall have "Township Library" thereon, the 
Library shall remain as before ; but if the majority of the 
ballots shall have "District Libraries" thereon, then the 
Township Inspectors at their next meeting thereafter shall Duty of 
proceed to divide the Township Library equitably among j^g'^eo^, 
the Districts and parts of Districts in such township, in 

Section 1. 1. The books apportioned to a fractional 
District are to be kept as a District Library for that Dis- 
trict. They can not be put into the Township Library of 
any other township in which such fractional District may 
be partly situated, but must be retained as a District Li- 
brary for the use of the District. 

2. The fractional District having a District Library, stiU 
retains its right to draw quarterly its proportion of books 
from the Township Library of any township to which such 
District may in part belong, and which may still possess a 
Township Library. The portion of the District lying in 
any township having a Township Library, is still liable to 
be taxed for the support of such Library, and of course, 
has a claim to use the books. The law (section 82,) which 
provides that fractional D istricts shall have access to but 
one township Library at the sime time, cannot be con- 
strued to prohibit the fractional District possessed of a 



230 SCHOOL DISTRICT LIBE ARIES. 

proportion to the number of children of legal School ages 
therein ; and shall deliver the same to the District Boards 
of the Districts to whch they may be apportioned. Said 
books shall thereafter belong to the respective Districts, 
and shall constitute District Libraries for the use of the 
residents of such Districts. 
Bistriot Sec. 2. The District Board shall be held accountable for 

^&ye^n- the proper care and preservation of the District Library, 
uK*'^* ^^ ^^^ shall have power to provide for the safe keeping of the 
same, to prescribe the time for taking and returning books, 
and to assess and collect all fines and penalties for the loss 
or injury of said books. The District Board shall appoint 
a Librarian, and determine the place where the Library 
shall be kept ; but in all cases in which the Library may be 
properly secured at the District School-house, it shall be 
kept at such School house. 

District Library from drawing its proportion of books from 
any Township Library it would otherwise be entitled to 
draw from. The Township Clerk should require of the 
Director a receipt, naming and describing all the volumes 
drawn from the Township Library, to prevent their being 
retained by mistake as a part of the Library of the District. 
See. 2. 1. The District Board may appoint a Librarian 
annually, 

2. The Board are authorized by the law to provide a 
suitable case, without waiting for a yote of the District. 
The case should be commodious in size, and strong. It 
should be also provided with a good lock and key. 

3. Whenever the District Board may deem it safe to 
keep the Library at the School-house, it must be deposited 
there. Perhaps in most instances, if a suitably strong case 
is provided, it will be found safe to keep the Library at 
the School-house during the School-terms. It will fre- 
quently be found desirable to appoint the Teacher Libra- 
rian, and especially if the Library is kept at the School- 
house. 

4. Before deliveriBg the books to the Librarian, two lists 
of such books should be made, one to be kept by the Dis- 
trict Board, and the other to be furnished to the Librarian; 



SCHOOL DISTRICT LIBRARIES. 2S1 

Sec. 3. The Library moneys belonging to any township ^^r^ry^mo^ 
80 determining in favor of District Libraries, or which may ney, how 
hereafter belong to such township, shall be apportioned ^'''^"^"'^ " ' 
among the several Districts thereof, in the same manner as 
the Primary School Moneys are apportioned, and shall be 
expended by the District Boards in purchasing books for 
the District Libraries. 

Sec. 4. It shall be the duty of the State Board of Educa- ^^1^,^^^^ 
tion to make a list of books, unsectarian in character, suit- ucation. 
able for District or Township Libraries, and contract with 
the lowest responsible bidder to furnish the same in such 
number as may be wanted, at stipulated prices. Previous 
to the first day of January in each year, the Superinten- 
dent of Public Instruction shall furnish to the Director of 
each School District, and each Township Clerk, a list of seiMition of 
the books contracted for, with the prices of the same, from 
which list the District Board or the Township Board of In- 
spectors may select books to the amount desired by the 
District or township. 

Sec, 5. It shall be the duty of contractors to furnish, at Books fur- 
the prices contracted for, the books so selected for the Li- ?orwlrcied! 
braries, and cause them to be forwarded to such points on 
any mmu thoroughfare as tiie District or Township Board 
may direct. 

Sec. 6. All acts and parts of acts inconsistent with the 
provisions of this act are hereby repealed. 

and notes should be made of the condition of each book. 
The L'.brarian's receipt should be attached to the list re- 
tained by the Board. 

5. The District Board should also make some written rules 
for the drawing and returning of the books, with penalties 
for their injury or loss, and should appoint the time (say 
Friday afternoon of each week,) when the Library shall 
be opened. 

Sec. 3. The Library moneys are to be annually distributed 
to the Districts and parts of Districts, in proportion to the 
number of children oi School ages in each District or frac- 
tional District in the township, and paid over to the sev- 
eral Directors. Should the School-house of a fractional 
District stand in another township, said district must still 
be entitled to its fractional share of the Library money in 
each township in which any'of its territory may lie. 



RULES FOR DISTRICT LIBRARIES. 



Rule 1. The Library shall be open for drawicg and re- 
turning books every Friday P. M., from three o'clock till 
five o'clock. 

Rule 2. Every person residing in the District shall be 
entitled to draw books from the Library ; but no one under 
fourteen years of age shall be permitted to get books with- 
out a written request from his parents or guardian. 

Rule 3. No person shall be entitled to two books from 
the Library at the same time, unless they be different vol- 
umes of the same work ; and no family shall draw more than 
one book while other families wishing books, shall remain 
unsupplied. 

Rule 4. No person shall loan a Library book to any one 
out of his own family, under a penalty of — — cents for 
each offense. 

Rule 5. No person shall retain a book from the Library 

more than two weeks, under a penalty of cents for 

each day he shall so retain it ; and no one may draw the 
same book a second time while any other person wishes to 
draw it. 

Rule 6. Any person losicg or destroyiEg a Library book, 
shall pay the cost of such book, and a fine of twenty-five 
cents ; and any person injuring a book by marking, tear- 
ing, or unnecessarily soiliDg it, shall be liable to a fine of 

not less than cents nor more than one and a half times 

the cost of the book, to be determined by the Librarian 
and Director. 

Bulb 7. No person shall be entitled to draw books while 



RULES FOR DISTRICT LIBRARIES. 233 

unlawfully detaining a book from the Library, or while any 
fine against him remains unpaid. 

Rule 8. The Librarian shall report to the District Board 
quarterly, the amount of fines assessed and collected, and 
all moneys accruing from this source shall be expended for 
the purchase or repair of books. 

Rule 9. The Librarian shall report annually, before the 
last Monday in September to the District Board, who shall 
report the same to the annual meeting, the number, titles, 
and condition o^ the books in the Library, and the numbei 
drawn during the year. 



«>, 



TEACHERS' INSTITUTES, 

[Act Approved February 17, 1855.] 



When su- Sec. 1. Whenever reasonable assurance shall be given 

perintend- 

entto ap. to the Superintendent of Public Instruction that a number 

point and *• 

Snglments ^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ fi^tyj o^ i^ couuties coutaiuing a population of 
for Institute jggg ihau twolve thousaud inhabitants, wheuevor twentj- 
five Teachers of Common Schools shall desire to assemble 
for the purpose of forming a Teachers' Institute, and to re- 
main in session for a period of not less than ten working 
days, said Superintendent is authorized to appoint a time 
and place for holding such Institute, to make suitable ar- 
rangements therefor, and to give due notice thereof. 
fxflslf ^®°* ^' ^^^ ^^® purpose of defraying the expenses of 
b^d'rawn,*" rooms, fires, lights, attendance, or other necessary charges, 
a^o!^t ^** and for procuring Teachers and Lecturers for said Insti- 
tute, the Auditor General shall, upon the certificate of the 
Superintendent of Public Instruction, that he has made ar- 
rangements for holding such Institute, draw his warrant 
upon the State Treasurer for such sum as said Superinten- 
dent shall deem necessary for conducting such Institute, 
which sum shall not exceed two hundred dollars for any 
one Institute, and shall be paid out of the general fund. 
saperinten- Soc. 3. Said Superintendent, in case of inability per- 
arpoint sonally to conduct any Institute, or to make the necessary 

suitable per- _ . . , . 

semstomake arrangements for holding the same, is authorized to appoint 
Sr^me"! some suitable person or persons for that purpose : Provi- 
ded, That not more than eighteen hundred dollars shall be 
drawn from the treasury in any one year to meet the pro- 
visions of this act. 



JOURNAL OP EDUCATION. 

[Act Approved Febrxuiry 14, 1857.] 



Sec. 1. The Superintendent of Public Instruction is an- siperint«n. 

■* dent author- 

thorized to subscribe for one copy of the Michigan Joii^^-gcrrbl^fo?'' 
nal of Education, a periodical published under the direc-g^u^ation^ 
tion of the Michigan State Teachers' Association, for each ^" '''^*"°*^' 
School District in this State, to be sent by mail, the post- 
age being prepaid by the publisher, to the Directors of 
the said Districts, the price of such subscription to be 
aixty cents a year for each copy, and such subscription to 
begin with the January number of the present year. 

Sec. 2. All general laws relating to public instruction Laws reia- 

° . . t'Dg to pub- 

which shall hereafter be passed in this State, and all gen-i'c instruc 

^ ' *-• tion to be 

eral notifications or instructions issuing from the Depart- p^'^]:'^«^^<^"» 
ment of Public Instruction, shall, when directed by the 
Superintendent of Public Instruction, be published in said 
Journal of Education, free of charge to the State. 

Sec. 3. Upon making such subscription, the Superinten- PertiBeate 
dent of Public Instruction shall make and deliver to the t^"f «°* ^° ^ 

be delivered 

publisher of said Journal of Education, quarterly, his cer- ^° pii'-Jsher 
tificate in writing, stating the number of copies so sub- 
scribed for and sent as aforesaid, and the amount due there- 
for at the time of making such certificate ; and the Auditor 
General, on presentation to him of such certificate, shall 
draw his warrant upon the State Treasurer for the amount 
named in said certificate, and said Treasurer is directed to 
pay the amount of the said warrant to the holder thereof, 
out of any moneys in the treasury not otherwise appro- 
priated. 



TEACHERS' ASSOCIATIONS. 

[Act Approved February 12, 1857.] 



Tifteenor Sec. 1. An}^ fifteen or more Teachers, or other persons 
«rs may residing in this State, who shall associate for the purpose 

form corpo- _ ■> n • -i . 

ra«?a' of promoting Education and Science, and improvements m 
published. j^^Q theory and practice of Teaching, may form themselves 
into a Corporation, under such name as they may choosOj 
providing they shall have published, in some newspaper 
printed at Lansing, or in the county in which such Asso- 
ciation is to be located, for at least one month previous, a 
notice of the time, place and purpose of the meeting for 
such Association, and shall file in the office of the Secretary 

of State a copy of the Constitution and By-Laws of said 
Association. 

May hold Sec. 2. Such Association may hold and possess real and 
personal pcrsoual propoity to the amount of five thousand dollars ; 
but the funds or property thereof shall not be used for any 
Restrictions othcr purposo than the legitimate business of the Associa- 
uponi 'i^«.j.^Qj^ jjj securing the objects of its Coporation. 
Privileges Sec. 3. Upon becoming a Corporation, as hereinbefore 
tSslrf cor- provided, they shall have all the powers and privileges, 
^^* "^ and be subjeet to all the duties of a Corporation, according 
to the provisions of chapter fifty-five of the Revised Stat- 
utes of this State, [Chap. 73, Compiled Laws,] so far as 
such provisions shall be applicable in such case, and not 
inconsistent with the provisions of this act. 



STATE NORMAL SCHOOL, 



An Act to Consolidate and Amend the Laws Relative to 
the Establishment of a State Normal School. 

[Compiled Laws, p. 715.] 

Section 1. Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Rep- 
resentatives qftJie State of Michigan, That all acts done and ^p"^,|°4 
contracts made by and with the Board of Education im- education * 
der and by virtue of "An act to establish a State Normal °™ 
School," approved March twenty-eight, eighteen hundred 1849, p. 157. 
and forty-nine, and the act supplementary thereto, approved 
March thirty-first, eighteen hundred and forty-nine, be and 
they are hereby ratified and confirmed. 

Sec. 2. That a State Normal School be established and state no, 

raal School, 

continued at Ypsilanti. in the county of Washtenaw, upon ^^''^,'1^*1^^^" 
the site selected by said Board of Education, the exclusive 
purposes of which shall be the instruction of persons, both 
male and female, in the art of teaching, and in all the vari- 
ous branches that pertain to a good common School educa- 
tion, vllso to give instruction in the mechanic arts, and ^'*'^»'?°' 
in the arts of husbandry and agricultural chemistry ; in the 
fundamental laws of the United States, and in what regards 
the rights and duties of citizens. 

Sec. 3. The said Normal School shall be under the direc-To le under 

direction of 

tion of a Board of Education, and shall be governed and ^oard of ed- 

" ucation, 

supported as herein provided. Said Board shall provide Board to 
for the erection of suitable buildings on the site selected erection of 

, . buUdings. 

as soon as the title thereto is vested in them in fee, and 
the means in their hands for that purpose are sufiScient ; 
and they may appoint a suitable person to superintend the 
erection of said buildings. 



238 STATE NORMAL SCHOOL. 

Board of ed- gee. 4. [Said Board of Education shall hereafter consist 

Boation,aiid 

^''■ntment ^^ ^^^ members, three of whom shall be appointed by the 
Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Sen- 
ate and House of E,epresentatives in Joint Convention. 
The members of said Board heretofore appointed shall 
hold their offices for the term for which they were desig- 
nated. At the session of the Legislature for the year 
eighteen hundred and fifty, and annually thereafter, the 
vacancies occurring shall be filled as above directed by 
appointment, the term of which shall be three years. 
The Governor shall, by appointment, fill any vacancy that 
may occur when the Legislature is not in session; such 
appointment to expire at the close of the next session of 

Esoffieio the Legislature. The Lieutenant Governor, the State 

members, ° ' 

Treasurer,] and the Superintendent of Public Instruction, 

shall, by virtue of their office, be members of said Board, 

Who to be and the latter shall be their Secretary, and shall keep an 

secretary *' ^ 

and treasur- exact and detailed account of their doings. He shall also 
communicate such reports to the Legislature as are re- 
quired by this act. The State Treasurer shall, by virtue 
of his office, be Treasurer of said Board, and the members 

Board may thereof shall annuallv elect one of their number President. 

elect presi- '' 

dent. ^jj^ jjQ member of said Board of Education shall, during 
his continuance in office as a member of said Board, act as 
the agent of any publisher or publishers of School books, 
or School Library books^ or be, or become interested in the 
Members Publication or sale of any such books, as agent or other- 
sot to be wise. And the Governor of this State is hereby author- 
agents, etc., ■' 

b«3kg!'°°^ ized and required, upon satisfactory evidence being pro- 
duced to him that any member of said Board is employed 
as such agent, or is interested in the manner aforesaid, to 
remove such member of said Board from office, and to 
appoint another member in his place to fill such vacancy.*" 

wd'of'ed- Sec. 5. Said board of Education shall have power to 
appoint a Principal and Assistant to take charge of said 
School, and such other Teachers and officcers as may be re- 

*Th9 parts of section 4, included in brackets, -wars yirtually repealed by Section 9, Art. 13 
of the State Constitution, adopted 1850. See page 15S. 



ucation, 



STATE NORMAL SCHOOL. 239 

3 

quired in said School, and fix the salary of each, and pre- 
scribe their several duties. They shall also have power to 
remove either the Principal, Assistant, or Teachers, and to 
appoint others in their stead. They shall prescribe the 
various books to be used in said School, and shall make all 
the regulations and by-laws necessary for the good govern- 
ment and management of the same. 

Sec, 6. Said Board shall also establish an experimental Experimen- 
tal school to 

School in connection with the Normal School, and shall I^®®^^'*- 
make all the regulations necessary to govern and support 
the same, and may, in their discretion, admit pupils free of 
charge for tuition. 
Sec. 7. Said Board shall have power, and it shall be their Powers and 

^ ' duties of 

duty, from time to time, as the means at their disposal may ^^^"^^^ 
warrant, to provide suitable grounds and buildiDgs, im- ei'c'ffofVn- 
plements of husbandry and mechanical tools, either byag'^ricuit^ 
purchase or lease, for the purpose of more effectually chanic arts. 
and experimentally carrying out the provisions of the sec- 
ond section of this act, "To give Instruction in the Me- 
chanic Arts, and in the Arts of Husbandry and Agricultural 
Chemistry.'' 

. Sec. 8. As soon as said Normal School is prepared to Notice to be 
receive pupils, the Superintendent of Public Instruction fJh^oT *° 
shall give notice of the fact to each County Clerk in the pupiu. 
State, and shall publish said notice in a newspaper published 
in each Senatorial district. 
Sec. 9. The Board of Education shall ordain such rules Euies and 

regulations 

and regulations for the admission of pupils to said School f?"" admia- 

° JT X sionofpu- 

as they shall deem necessary and proper. Every applicant p'^ 

for admission shall undergo an examination in such manner 

as may be prescribed by the Board ; and if it shall appear 

that the applicant is not a person of good moral character, 

or will not make an apt and good Teacher, such applicant 

shall be rejected. The Board of Education may, in their certain pu- 

discretion, require any applicant for admission to said or secure 

' ^ -^ re ^ tuition feea. 

School — other than such as shall, prior to such admission, 



240 STATE NORMAL SCHOOL. 

sign and file with said Board a declaration of intention to 
follow the business of teaching Primary Schools in this 
State — to pay, or secure to be paid, such fees for tuition 
as to said Board shall seem reasonable. 
Pupils to gee. 10. Any person may be admitted a pupil of said 

sign deelar- '' ■*■ '' j. x 

tenMo°n to School who shall pass a satisfactory examination : Provided, 
teachers. That the applicant shall, before admission, sign a declara- 
tion of intention to follow the business of teaching Primary 
But may be gchools in this State: And provided furtJter, Th.di,t pupils 
mthoat. j^Q^ Ijq admitted without signing such declaration of inten- 
tion, on such terms as the Normal School Board may pre- 
Eatioof pu- scribe ; and that each county shall be entitled to send 

pils from ' . . ri 

each county pupils jq i}^q ratio of the Representatives in the State 
Legislature to which it may be entitled, not to exceed such 
number as the Board may prescribe. 

Board of Scc. 11« After said School shall have commenced its first 

TisitorSjhow , r • t fi i 

appointed, term, and at least once in each year thereafter, it shall be 
visited by three suitable persons, not members, to be ap- 
pointed by the Board of Education, who shall examine 
thoroughly into the affairs of the School, and report to the 
Superintendent of Public Instruction their views with re- 
gard to its condition, success and usefulness, and any other 
matters they may judge expedient. Such Visitors shall be 
appointed annually. 

soperinten- Sec. 12. It shall be the duty of the Superintendent of 

dent of Pub- . . , . , 

He iDstruc- Public Instruction, once at least in each term, to visit said 

to visit ' 

makerrort School ; and he shall annually make to the Legislature a 
full and detailed report of the doings of the Board of Edu- 
cation, and of all their expenditures, and the moneys re- 
ceived for tuition, and the prospects, progress and useful- 
ness of said School, including so much of the report of said 
Visitors as he may deem advisable. 

Lectures. ggc. 13. Lectures on chemistry, comparative anatomy, 
astronomy, the mechanic arts, agricultural chemistry, and 
on any other science, or any branch of literature that the 
Board of Education may direct, may be delivered to those 



STATE NORMAL SCHOOL. 241 

attendiDg said School, in such manner, and on sucli terms 
and conditions as the Board of Education may prescribe. 

Sec. 14. As soon as any person has attended said institu- ^j''*°J°^^'° 
tion twenty-two weeks, said person may be examined in the 
studies required by the Board, in such manner as may be 
prescribed ; and if it shall appear that said person possesses ^f qlf^^j*^. 
the learning and other qualiflcations necessary to teach *'°''*' 
a good Common School, said person shall receive a certifi- 
cate to that effect from the Principal, to bo approved by 
the Superintendent of Public Instruction. 

Sec. 15. The Board of Education shall have the power Boa^i^ °!»y 

^ receive do- 

and authority to demand and receive the sum or sums do- "^^'^.."■p'!''^ 
nated and subscribed by the citizens of Ypsilanti and its *'°°*' 
vicinity, in such manner as said Board may prescribe, and 
apply the same to the erection and completion of the nec- 
essary buildings, the purchase of the necessary books, 
apparatus, furniture and fixtures, and for various other in- ■''"''^jj^^j^P' 
cidental expenses to be incurred by said Board in pursu- 
ance of the provisions of this act ; and if any surplus shall 
remain, to apply the same in defraying the expenses of 
conducting said School. And any deficit which may arise deficit in 
in the erection and completion of said buildings and pur- e"J''^'j^o^^' 
chases aforesaid, shall be paid out of the principal to be^*"^' 
received on the sale of lands hereinafter mentioned, not to 
exceed the sum of ten thousand dollars. Such sum shall 
be paid from time to time on the warrant of the Auditor 
General, to be drawn in pursuance of the certificate of the 
Superintendent of Building, or Secretary of the Board, and 
countersigned by the President of the Board of Education ; 
and no such certificate shall be issued until work shall be 
done, or services rendered, or buildings erected, or books, 
apparatus, fixtures or furniture, purchased for the Normal 
School, under the direction of tbe Board of Education, en- 
titling the applicant to such certificate, according to a con- 
tract or agreement with said Board for that purpose, or for 
services and expenses of the Board or some member thereof, 
31 



242 STATE NORMAL SCHOOL. 

in connection with the selection of the site, or the erection 
of the Normal School buildings, or the improvement of the 
grounds. 

1840, p 157. gg(.^ iQ^ rpi^g ^g^ sectioHs of Salt Spring lands, located 
by the Board of Education under the provisions of sections 
fifteen and sixteen of "An act to establish a State Normal 
School," approved March twenty-eight, eighteen hundred 
and forty-nine, together with the fifteen sections of Salt 
Spring lands located under the provisions of section six- 
teen of said Act, and all such lands as may be granted by 
Congress, or received or set apart (in any manner) in lieu 
of any portion of said land to which the title may prove 
insufficient, and all donations, in land or otherwise, to the 
State in trust, or to the Board of Education for the support 

wkat lands of a Normal School, shall constitute a fund, to be called 

to consti- 
tute endow- the Normal School Endowment Fund, and shall be reserved 

ment fund. 

from sale until the same shall be appraised. The minimum 
price of said lands shall be four dollars per acre ; and it 
shall be the duty of the officer authorized to sell said lands, 
to cause the same to be appraised as soon as practicable, 
in the manner provided for the appraisal of other lands. 
None of said lands shall be sold for less than the minimum 
price fixed by law. It shall not be necessary to appraise 
any of said lands which have heretofore been appraised 
under existing provisions of law ; and the proceeds of sales 
of any of said lands heretofore appraised and sold, shall 
constitute a part of the fund herein provided. After such 
appraisal, such land shall be and remain subject to sale at 
the State Land Office, as is now, or shall be hereafter pro- 
vided bylaw; and the principal shall be and remain a 
perpetual fund for the use of said institution (except as 
herein provided.) The installments of principal paid by 
the purchasers, shall be paid into the State Treasury; and 
the interest thereon from the time of its receipt, or from 
the time of the preceding computation of interest, as the 
same [case] may be, shall be computed by the Auditor Gen- 



STATE NORMAL SCHOOL. 243 

eral and State Treasurer, at the close of each fiscal year, at 
the rate of six per cent, per annum, and together with all 
interest paid by purchasers of any portion of said lands, 
shall be passed to the credit of the Normal School interest 
fund, to be drawn therefrom upon the warrant of the Au- 
ditor General, issued in pursuance of a certificate of the 
Board of Education, signed by their Secretary and coun- 
tersigned by their President, that the money is due and 
payable to the Principal of the Normal School, or his 
assistants, or the Teachers or officers employed, or to the 
members of the Board, or the Board of Visitors, as herein 
authorized, or for necessary incidental expenses in the 
support or maintenance of said School, or some of its 
departments. 

Sec. 17. Said funds shall be under the direction and con- Fundsunder 

control of 

trol of the Board of Education, subject to the provisions ^^^^^^J^^^ 
herein contained. The Treasurer of said Board shall pay 
out of the proper fund all orders or drafts for moneys to 
be expended under the provisions of this act. Such or- 
ders or drafts to be drawn by the Auditor General, on the 
certificate of the Secretary, countersigned by the Presi- 
dent of the Board. No such certificates shall be given, 
except upon accounts audited and allowed by the Board at 
a regular meeting. 
Sec. 18. The services, and all necessary traveling and Expensea of 

, , board of ed- 

other expenses, already or hereafter to be incurred by any "^l^^^^^^ 
member of the Board of Education, or the Board of Visit- p*'*^- 
ors, shall be paid on the proper certificate out of any funds 
belonging to said Institution in the hands of the Treasurer, 
until the erection and completion of the necessary build- 
ings. The Principal, Assistants, Teachers and other offi- instructow 
cers employed in said School, shall be paid out of the Nor- how paid. ' 
mal School Interest Fund, and from receipts for tuition ; 
and the services and expenses of the Board of Education, 
after the erection of the necessary buildings, and other 
expenses incident to said Institution, shall be paid for out 



244 STATE NOEMAL SCHOOL. 

of the Normal School Interest Fund, in the same manner, 

as near as may be, as is required in regard to moneys drawn 

for the payment of the Principal or other Teachers. The 

^y<'*°5^'^- members of the Board of Education and the Visitors, shall 

oers ana ' 

Tisitors. jjQ entitled to two dollars per day for their actual services, 

and to their necessary traveling and other expenses, 
ihe board g^Q^ 19^ j^qj. ^-j^q purposo of rendering more efficient 
^j.jjfy^t°^^ their organization, and to enable them the more fully to 
OTs'etc!'^ carry into effect the provisions herein contained, the mem- 
bers of the Board of Education, now holding their offices 
under the provisions of "An act to establish a State Nor- 
mal School," approved March 28th, 1849, and their succes- 
sors in office, are hereby constituted a body politic and 
corporate, by the name of "The Board of Education," for 
the purposes herein contemplated, and subject to such 
modifications as may be made thereto, and in that name 
shall have perpetual succession, and shall be, and they are 
hereby empowered to purchase, have, hold, possess and 
enjoy to themselves and their successors, lands, tenements, 
hereditaments, goods, chattels and effects of every kind^ 
and the same to grant, aliene, sell, invest and dispose of, to 
sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, in all Courts in 
this State, to have and to use a common seal, and the same 
to change, alter and renew at pleasure, and to make such 
by-laws and regulations as they may deem proper for the 
well ordering and government of said Corporation and the 
transaction of its business: Provided, The same be not 
repugnant to the Constitution or laws of this State or of 
the United States. 
To be sub- Sec. 20. Said Corporation shall be subject to the pro- 
visions of visions of chapter fifty-five of the Revised Statutes of 

Cihap 55 of r J 

aatates of 1S^^5 SO far as the same can apply, and are not inconsistent 
copter 73, wlth tho provisious of this act. They shall have power to 
Swl."** transact all necessary business at any meeting, a quorum 
being present ; and meetings may be called in such man- 
ner as their by-laws may provide, and a quorum shall con- 



STATE NORMAL BCHOOL. 245 

sist of a majority of the members. The first meeting ^Q" f^j'** "^•*j 
der this act may be held at such time and place as may be ^^'^ 
directed by the Secretary, and no publication of notice 
thereof shall be necessary ; and the attendance of a quo- 
rum shall render valid the proceedings of such meeting. Process 
All process against said Corporation shall be served on the ^erved.^^"^ 
President or Secretary thereof. 

Sec. 21. Sections four, fifteen and sixteen of "An act to certain en- 

' actments 

establish a State Normal School," approved March 28th,':^pea'«'i- 

■^ "^ ' 1619, p. 19T. 

1849, and all of the provisions of said act, and the acti^*^'P-22i- 
supplementary thereto, which are inconsistent with the 
provisions of this act, are hereby repealed. 

Sec. 22. This act shall take eifect and be in force from ^^e'"'*^"* 

m&j alter, 

and after its passage, and the Legislature may at any time^cV*^ 
alter, amend or repeal the same by a vote of two-thirds of 
the members present in each House. 
Sec. 23. The Board of Instruction of the State Normal oipiomaa 

may be 

School are authorized to grant to graduates of said Insti-g'^^n'^'^,*® 
tution Diplomas, which, when signed by the members of [^^g^^^^j^ 
the State Board of Education, shall be regarded as evi- 
dence that such graduates have completed the prescribed 
course of study in said Institution. (^) 

Sec. 24. Each Diploma so conferred shall be accom- Diplomas to 

be accompa- 

panied by a certificate, signed by the Board of Instruction, f^e'i by cer- 
which, when recorded in the ofiice of the Clerk of any ^^"^^ «^»" 
township in this State, shall serve the holder as a certifi- q,^^*ggg°ti^ 
cate of qualification to teach in any Primary School of said^°'^*°''' 
township, until the same shall be amended [annulled] by 
the School Inspectors of such township under the provis- 
ions of law for annulling certificates. 

(1) Seetioni! 23 and 24, passed Feb. 13, 1857. Compiled Laws, p. 722. 



THE UNIYBRSITY OF MICHIGAN. 



An Act to provide for tlie Government of the State 
University. 

[Compiled Laws, p. 711.] 

Section 1. The People of the State of Michigan enact, 
University That the Institution established in this State, and known as 
the University of Michigan, is continued under the name 
and style heretofore used. 
Its object. Sec. 2. The University shall provide the inhabitants of 
this State with the means of acquiring a thorough knowl- 
edge of the various branches of Literature, Science and 
Arts. 
GovernmeEt Soc. 3. The government of the University is vested in 

vested in "^ 

Boaid of the Board of Eegents. 

Regents. ° 

Regents to Soc. 4. The Board of Eegents shall constitute the body 

be a body 

corporate, corporate, with the right as such of suing and being sued, 

of making and usiug a common seal, and altering the 

same. 

Regents to Sec. 5. The Eegents shall have power to enact ordinan- 

Swstete., ces, by-laws and regulations for the government of the 

elect presi. n • 

dent, pro- Uulversity : to elect a President, to fix, increase and reduce 

i€&sorSj ciCi J 

and fix saia- t];iQ regular number of Professors and Tutors, and to ap- 
point the same, and to determine the amount of their 
salaries : Provided, That there shall always be at least one 
Professor of Homoeopathy in the department of Medicine. 

May remove gee. 6. Thev shall havo power to remove the President, 

president, ./ jt 

profeBsors, ^^^^ g^uy Professor or Tutor, when the interest of the Uni- 
versity shall require it. 

Sec. 7. They shall have power to appoint a Secretary, 



UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN. 247 

Librarian, Treasurer, Steward, and sucb other officers asMayap^"** 

' ' ' other offl- 

the interests of the Institution may require, who shall hold p^e'cri" e 
their offices at the pleasure of the Board, and receive such pens'atioS!" 
compensation as the Board may prescribe. 
Sec. 8. The University shall consist of at least three ot what de- 

•' partmentj 

departments: ^ uuiverMty 

1. A department of Literature, Science and the Arts ; 

2. A department of Law ; 

3. A department of Medicine ; 

4. Such other departments may be added as the Regents 
shall deem necessary, and the State of the University fund 
shall allow. 

Sec. 9. The Regents shall provide for the arrangement Kegentsu 
and selection of a course or courses of study in the Uni- l^^^^^f^ 
versity, for such students as may not desire to pursue the who To not 
usual collegiate course, in the department of literature, pursue coi- 
science and the arts, embracing the ancient languages, and course, 
to provide for the admission of such students without pre* 
viou'3 exarainatioQ as to their attainments in said languages, 
and for granting such certificates at the expiration of such 
course or term of such students, as may be appropriate to 
their respective attainments. 

Sec. 10. The Regents shall make provision for keeping to make 

*^ proyis.on for 

a set of meteorological tables at the University, after the""**r°;?'°^- 

° •' ' cal tables. 

forms adopted and furnished by the Smithsonian Institu- 
tion, the record of which shall bo transmitted with their 
report to the Superintendent of Public Instruction, who 
shall embody the same into big re|)ort. 

Sec. 11. The immediate government of the several de- General di- 
rection of 
partments shall be entrusted to the President and the re- institution. 

spective faculties ; but the Regents shall have power to 

regulate the course of instruction, and prescribe, under the 

advice of the Professorship, the books and authorities to be 

used in the several departments ; and also to confer such 

degrees and grant such Diplomas as are usually conferred 

and granted by other similar institutions. 



248 UNIVEESITY OF MICHIGAN. 

Admission gec. 12. The fee of admission to the regular University 

course in the department of literature, science and the arts, 

shall not exceed, ten dollars, but such course or courses of 

instruction as may be arranged under the provisions of 

Jlntsad^it- section nine of this act, shall be open without fee to the 

fee. ^' °"^ citizens of this State. 

tlrb?opea Sec. 13. The University shall be open to all persons 
thrstate "^ resident of this State, without charge of tuition, under the 
Charge. regulatlous prescribed, by the Regents ; and to all other 
persons under such regulations and restrictions as the 
Board may prescribe, 
whom Vaid ^^^' ^^' ^^^ moueys received from such source shall be 
pf,ed^°"*P'paid to the Treasurer, and so much thereof as shall be 
necessary for the purpose, shall be expended by the Re- 
gents in keeping the University buildings in good condition 
and repair, and the balance shall be appropriated for the 
increase of the Library. 
innnai re- Soc. 15. The Board of Regents shall make an exhibit of 

port ef re- .... i rt • 

esBts- the affairs of the University, in each year, to the buperm- 
tendent of Public Instruction, setting forth ihe condition 
of the University and its branches ; the amount of receipts 
and expenditures ; the number of Professors, Tutors and 
other officers, and the compensation of each ; the number 
of students in the several departments, and in the different 
classes ; the books of instruction used ; an estimate of the 
expenses for the ensuing year ; together with such other 
information and suggestions as they may deem important, 
or the Superintendent of Public Instruction may require 
to embody in his report.(^) 
Baiidinga Sgc. 16. Ffom tho increass arising from the interest of 
™ect*dfrom the Uulverslty fund, the Board of Regents may erect, from 

increase of n i 

University time to time, such baildmgs as are necessary lor the uses 

fund. 

of the University, on the grounds set apart for the same ; 
but no such buildings shall be erected until provision shall 
be made for the payment of the existing indebtedness of 

(1) As amonded Fatruary 15, 1859. Laws of 1859, p. 769. 



UNIVERSITY OP MICHIGAN. 249 

the University, nor until one branch of the University 
shall be established in each judicial circuit of the State. 

Sec. 17. The Board of Kegents shall have power to ex- [;;)^«j'^'^°^ 
pend so much of the interest arising from the University *^?''°'^*"^- 
fund, as may be necessary for the improving and orna- 
menting of the University grounds, for the purchase of 
philosophical, chemical, meteorological, and other appara- 
tus, and to keep the same in good condition. 

Sec. 18. As soon as the income of the University inter- ^''^J*"^^^ 

•' geots may 

est fund will admit, it shall be the duty of the Board of ^f *n"j,'e^g 
Regents to organize and establish branches of the Univer- 
sity, one at least in each judicial circuit or district of the 
State, and to establish all needful rules and regulations for 
the government of the same. They shall not give to any 
such branch the right of conferring degrees, nor appro- 
priate a sum exceeding fifteen hundred dollars, in any one 
year, for the support of any such branch. 

Sec. 19. The Regents may establish and orgaiaize aibw. 
branch or branches, by the creation of a Trusteeship ior 
the local management of the same, or they may in taelr 
discretion select for a branch, under the restrictions ; fore- 
said, any chartered literary Institution in the State. 

Sec. 20. The meetings of the Board may be called in j^"^*,^** *^ 
such manner as the Regents shall prescribe ; five of them 
shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, 
and a less number may adjourn from time to time. 

Sec. 21. A Board of Visitors, to consist of three persons, Board «f 

visitors ap- 

shall be appointed biennially at the commencement of the pointed. 
collegiate year, by the Superintendent of Public Instruc- 
tion. It shall be their duty to make a personal examina- 
tion into the state and condition of the University in all 
its departments and branches, once at least in each year, 
and report the result to the Superintendent, suggesting Their duties 

, *^ ^ ' oo o ana report. 

such improvements as they may deem important; which 
report shall be embodied into the report of the Superin- 
tendent. 

32 



250 UNIVERSITY OP MICHIGAN. 

EegentBand Sec. 22. The Resreiits and Visitors of the University 

Tisifcoristobe ^ *^ •' 

paid their ghall each receive pay for the actual and necessary ex- 
penses incurred by them in the performance of their 
duties, which shall be paid out of the University interest 
fund. 
tSTer, S^c* 23. All orders on the Treasurer shall be signed by 
how sjgned. ^jjQ Secretary, and countersigned by the President. 
chareT^of Sec. 24. Chapter fifty-seven of the Revised Statutes is 
sSel hereby repealed. 

of natwar" ^^^' '^^' "^^^ varlous specimeus of geology, mineralogy, 
?hc*unive'r- zoology, botany, and all other specimens pertaining to 
*'^^" Natural History belonging to the State, and now deposited 

in the University buildings, be and the same are hereby 
transferred to the Board of Eegents of the University of 
Michigan, to be held by said Board of Regents in trust for 
the use and benefit of said University and its branches ; 
and the said Board of Regents are hereby authorized to 
take, have and enjoy, the right, property, possession and 
control thereof, and make such disposition of the said spe- 
cimens as may be most beneficial for the interests of the 
University and its branches aforesaid. 



THE AGRICU.LTjURAL COLLEGE. 



An Act for the Establishment of a State AgricDltural 

School. 

[Compile. 1 Laws, p. 723.] 

Section 1. The People of the State of MicUgan enact, 
That the President and Executive Committee of the Michi- ^^|=J;;%^^, 
gan State Agricultural Society, bo and are hereby author- ''''"'°1- 
ized to select, subject to the approval of the State Board 
of Education, a location and site for a State Agricultural 
School, within ten miles of Lansing; and subject to suchF"!n tobe 

' o 7 J ^ purchased, 

approval, contract for and purchase for the State of Michi- 
gan such lands, not less than five hundred acres, nor more 
than one thousand acres, in one body, for the purpose of 
an experimental farm and site for such Agricultural School : 
Provided, That the amount to be paid for such farm and 
site shall not exceed fifteen dollars per acre, and that the 
conveyance or conveyances be made to the State of 
Michigan. 
Sec. 2. That there is hereby appropriated twenty-two s?ait spring 

lands appro- 
sections of Salt Spring lands, or the money arising from the PJ^^^^^^g^^'^j 

sale thereof, referred to in article thirteen, section eleven, if„°jf^f\'^?y. 
of the Constitution of the State of Michigan, for the pur- '°^'' *^'=- 
chase of land for such site and location, and the prepara- 
tion thereof, the erection of buildings, th^ purchase of 
furniture, apparatus, library and implements, payment of 
Professors and Teachers, and other necessary expenses, to 
be incurred in the establishment and successful operation 
of said School ; which sum shall be drawn from the State 
Treasury on the presentation of the proper certificates of 



252 AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. 

the Board of Education to the Auditor General, and on his 
warrant to the State Treasurer ; but not to exceed in the 
whole amouat the sum of fifty-six thousand three hundred 
and twenty dollars, the minimum price of said twenty-two 
sections, uukss the whole proceeds of the sales of said 
sections shall exceed that sum, and then not to exceed the 
amount of such proceeds. f) 
tioif and'^ap- ^®*^" ^' ^poii the executiou and delivery to the Secretary 
TODveyance.of State of the proper conveyance or conveyaDces of the 
draw war' ° land, the purchase of which is provided for in the first sec- 
forsame. tiou of this act, &u6. the certificates of the Attorney G-ene- 
ral that he has examined the title to the same, and finds 
it unencumbered, and that the conveyance or conveyances 
uve executed in due form, and a certificate from the Presi- 
dent and Secretary of the Board of Education, that the 
same is in accordance with the contract or contracts for 
the purchase of the same, and that the location has been 
approved by them, the Auditor General shall draw his 
warrant or warrants on the State Treasurer for the amount 
of such purchase, in favor of the party or parties to whom 
such sum or sums shall be due, payable out of said Salt 
Spring lands, or money accruiog from the sale of the same ; 
and the said certificates in this section mentioned, shall be 
filed and preserved in the ofiice of the Secretary of State. 
.Agricultural gec. 4. Upou the purchase of such location and site, 

college to be *■ -^ 

established, there shall be established on sach site, under the direction 

its purpose ' 

anddesigQ. ^^^ supervislon of the State Board of Education, an Agri- 
cultural School, by the name and style of the Agricultural 
College of the State of Michigan, and the chief purpose 
and desiga of which shall be, to improve and teach the 
science and practice of Agriculture. 

Sec. 5. The course of instruction in said College shall 

(1) As amended by "An Act making an Appropriation for the State Agricultural School 
and to amend the Act entitled 'An Act for the Establishment of a State Agricultural School, 
approved February twelfth, eighteen huniied and fifty-five, ' " approved Februarj 16, 1857. 
Laws of 1857, p. 385. 



AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. 253 

include the followioer branches of education, viz : an Bng-Gourfeofin- 

" struction. 

lish and scientific course, natural philosophy, chemistry, 
botany, animal and vegetable anatomy and physiology, geol- 
ogy, mineralogy, meteorology, entomolgy, veterinary art, 
mensuration, leveling and political economy, with book- 
keeping and the mechanic arts, which are directly con- 
nected with Agriculture, and such others as the Board of 
Education may from time to time see fit to prescribe, having 
reference to the objects specified in the previous section ; 
and the said Board may establish such professorships, and P^o^f^^sor- 
employ such Professors and Teachers, to be called the Board 
of Instruction of said College, for the instruction aforesaid, 
as they may judge best for such object : Provided, The sum 
paid such Professors and Teachers, for the first year after [^"^^f^p^'o 
said College shall go into operation, shall not exceed the ^ ''°''*- 
sum of five thousand dollars, and for the next year, not ex- 
ceeding the sum of six thousand dollars, and for any years 
thereafter, such sum as the State Board of Education may 
deem necessary, for the successful operation of the Insti- 
tution. Tuition in said Institution shall be forever free toPopiisano 

tuition. 

pupils from this State, and any number of pupils may be 
admitted who shall apply from any part of this State : Pro- 
vided, That in case more pupils apply than can be accom- 
modated or taught, then said Board shall adopt some equi- 
table plan, giving to each county a number according to 
the ratio of population, as it shall appear from the census 
last taken ; and in that case, those from each county shall 
be admitted in the order in which they shall apply, until 
the quota of such county be full. 

Sec. 6. There shall be one Collegiate term in each year, Terms. 
and said term shall commence on the last Wednesday of 
February^and terminate on the last Wednesday of Novem- 
ber ; and no pnpil shall be received for a less term, unless 
by special permission from the Board of Instruction. (^) 

Sec. 7. The Board of Education, upon consultation with 

(1) Aa amended February 15, 1859. Laws of 1859, p. 871. 



254 AGRICULTUEAL COLLEGE. 

Hours for the Board of Instruction, shall, from time to time, fix and 

labor, 

study, etc establish rules as to the number of hours which shall be 
devoted to manual labor and to study, which may be differ- 
ent in different terms or seasons ; but during the first term 
in such year, the time devoted to labor shall not be less 
than three, nor more than four hours each day ; and no stu- 
dent or pupil of said College shall be exempt from such 
labor, except in case of sickness or other infirmity. 

Board of ed- Sec. 8. The Board of Education shall appoint one of the 

uoation to 

appoint offi-Pfofessors in said College to be the President thereof, and 

cers of col- " ' 

i«se. one to be its Secretary, and one to be its Treasurer ; and 
Establish the Board of Instruction may establish such rules and resru- 

Tules, regn- '' •-' 

latioas, etc. latious from time to time, for the government of said Col- 
lege and instruction therein, as they may deem proper in 
any matter not regulated by the Board of Education • and 
the rules and regulations adopted by such Board of Instruc- 
tion, shall remain in full force until altered by said Board 
of Education. And said Board of Instruction shall have 
power, subject to the approval of the Board of Education, 
to establish by-laws for the government and discipline of 
the pupils of said College, in regard to conduct and behav- 
ior, and to affix such pecuniary penalties as they may deem 
proper, and to prescribe the causes for expulsion or dismis- 
sal of such pupil, which by-laws shall have the force of 
law, unless altered, modified or repealed by the Board of 
To fix com- Education or the Legislature ; and the Board of Education 
for labor of shall fix tho compeusatioB to be credited or paid for the 

pupila. 

labor performed by pupils, under the provisions of section 
seven of this act. 

Sec. 9. The President of said Board of Instruction shall 
preside at all meetings of said Board, except in case of 
sickness or absence ; in which case the Board may elect 
one of their number President j5ro tempore; and it shall be 
the duty of the President to see that all the regulations 
established by this act, by the Board of Education, and by 



Duties of 

President. 



AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. 255 

the Board of Instruction, in regard to the government and 
instruction in said College, be enforced. 

Sec. 10. The Secretary of said Board of Instruction shall fecreta^-. 
record all the proceedings of said Board, and all regulations 
and by-laws for the government of said College, and shall 
publish the same, and furnish a copy thereof to the Gover- 
nor of this State, to each member of the Board of Educa- 
tion, to the County Clerk of eaeh county, and to the Clerk 
of each organized township in this State. He shall also 
keep a full record of all improvements and experiments 
made on said lands, their cost and results. He shall also 
keep a careful account with each field, in connection with 
a plan of the farming lands or farm, exhibiting the position 
of each, in which shall be shown the manner and cost of 
preparing the ground, the kind of crop, time of planting or 
sowing, the after condition, the time and manner of har- 
vesting, the labor devoted to each process, and its cost 
price, with the cost of preparing,the matured crop for mar- 
ket, and the price for which it was sold, and of such other 
matters as the Board of Education and of Instruction, or 
either of them, may require of him ; and he shall furnish a 
copy thereof at the end of each term to the President of 
the Board of Education ; and the said record shall, at all 
reasonable hours, be open to the inspection of any citizen 
of this State. 

Sec. 11. The Treasurer shall receive and keep all moneys Duties of 
arising from the sale of products of the farm, and from fines 
and penalties that may be imposed : and shall give bonds 
in such sum as the Board of Education may require. He 
shall pay over all money» upon the warrant of the Presi- 
dent, countersigned by the Secretary, on account of such 
contingent expenses of the Institution as may arise. He 
shall render annually, in the month of December, to the 
Board of Education, and as often as required by said Board, 
a^fuU and true account of all moneys received and dis- 
bursed by him : stating for what received and paid, and 



266 AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. 

shall produce vouchers for such payment. The surplus 
money, if any remain in his hands at the time of rendering 
such account, shall, if required by said Board, be paid over 
to the State Treasurer, to be placed to the credit of said 
institution." 
\^tors to Sec. 12. After said College shall have commenced its first 

be appoint- ^ ^ 

«^- term, the Superintendent of Public Instruction shall ap- 

Their duties, point Visitors for the same, who shall perform the like du- 
ties required of such Visitors by law, in reference to the 
State Normal School. 



INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING." 



An Act to Provide for the Incorporation of Institutions 
of Learning. 

[Compiled Lavs, p. 564.] 

Section 1. The People of the State of Michigan enact, 
That any number of persons not less than five, may become Howmnjbe 

ineorpora- 

a Corporation for the purpose of founding and establishing ^^ 
a College, Seminary, Academy, or other Institution of 
Learning, by complying with the provisions of this Act. 
When stock, legacies, bequests or donations, to the amount 
of thirty thousand dollars for any such College, or five thou- 
sand dollars for any such Seminary, Academy, or other In- 
stitution of Learning, so intended to be founded and estab- 
lished, shall be in, good faith subscribed or given, and 
twenty per cent, thereon actually paid in, as herein 
required, such persons may elect Trustees for such Col- 
lege, Seminary, Academy, or other Institution of Learning ; 
and thereupon said Trustees shall severally subscribe -^^^''^'of 

*■ "^ aBBociation, 

articles of association, in which shall be set forth the name, J^^ ^J^ 

character and object of the Corporation, the amount of^^'***** 

capital stock so subscribed, bequeathed, donated or given, 

and the amount paid in : the names and place of residence 

of the Trustees ; the length of time they shall continue in 

office, not to exceed thirty years ; the manner in which 

their successors shall be elected, who shall not be less than 

five, nor more than thirty-five, and the place where such 

College or other Institution is to be located. Said articles 

of association, when subscribed as aforesaid, may be filed 

in the office of the Secretary of State ; but such articles 

shall not be so filed until there is annexed thereto an 

affidavit, made by at least three of such Trustees, that the 

amount of stock required bv this section has been in good 
33 



258 INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING. 

faith subscribed, and that twenty per cent, thereon has 
been paid in ; and thereupon the persons who have sub- 
scribed said articles, with such other persons as may from 
time to time become donors to such Institution, or if said 
Powers of articlcs of association so declare, the Trustees elected as 

corpotation. ' 

herein provided, shall be a body corporate and politic, 
capable of suing and being sued, and may have a common 
seal, which they may make and alter at pleasure, and be 
capable in law of receiving by gift, subscription, bequest, 
will, donation or devise, and of purchasing, holding and 
conveying any real estate or personal property whatever, 
for the purpose of founding, establishing and conducting 
any such College, Seminary, Academy, or other Institution 
of Learning. 
Certified co- Sbc. 2. A coDV of auv such articlos of association filed 

py of Arti- ... 

di^'rit m^? in pursuance of this Act, with a copy of the affidavit an- 

evidence. jje^ed thereto, and certified by the Secretary of State to 

be a copy, shall, in all Courts and places, be presumptive 

evidence of the incorporation of such Institution, and of 

all the facts therein stated. 

Additional Sec. 3. Tho Trustees of any College or Seminary incorpo- 

powers of ,, r i • t ^ • -i i 

^uege or rated under the provisions of this Act, besiaes the general 
^d^uMiTr powers and privileges of a Corporation, shall have power: 

1. To elect their own chairman or clerk ; 

2. Upon the death, resignation, or other vacancy in the 
office of any Trustee, to elect another in his place ; 

3. To declare vacant the seat of any Trustee who shall 
absent himself from five successive meetings of the Board; 

4. To take and hold, by gift, grant, or devise, any real 
or personal property, the annual income or revenue of 
which shall not exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ; 

5. To sell, mortgage, let, or other wse use such property, 
in such manner as they shall deem most conducive to the 
educational interests of such Corporation ; 

6. To direct and presciibe the course of study and dis- 
cipline to be observed in the College, Seminary or Acad- 



ted under 
this Act, 



INSTITUTIONS OP LEARNING. 259 

emy : Provided, That no religious test vS^atever shall be 
required of any pupil in such Institution ; 

7. To appoint a President, Professors, Tutors, and such 
other oflBcers and agents as they may deem necessary, who 
shall hold their oflEices during the pleasure of the Trustees ; 

8. To grant such literary honors as are usually granted 
by any such College, or similar Institutions in the United 
States, and in testimony thereof to give suitable Diplomas, 
under their seal, and the signatures of such officers of the 
Institution as they may deem expedient : Provided, That 
the course of study pursued in such College be, in all 
respects, as thorough and comprehensive as is usually 
pursued in similar Institutions in the United States ; 

9. To ascertain and fix the salaries of the President, 
Professors, and other officers and agents ; 

10. And to make all ordinances and by-laws necessary 
and proper to carry into efiect the foregoing powers. 

Sec. 4. Every Diploma granted by such Trustees, shall ^,^*^^<*' ^^ 
entitle the possessor to all the immunities which, by usage 
or statute, are allowed to possessors of similar Diplomas 
granted by any similar Institution in the United States. 

Sec. 5. The Trustees of any Academy incorporated under Additional 
the provisions of this Act, besides the general powers andTruBtees of 
privileges of a Corporation, shall have power : u°BX/tW8 

1. To take and hold, by gift, grant, subscription, bequest, -^''*- 
or devise, any property, personal or real, the annual income 

or revenue of which shall not exceed four thousand dollars ; 

2. To sell, mortgage, let, or otherwise use and dispose 
of such property for the benefit of such Academy ; 

3. To direct and prescribe the course of study and dis- 
cipline in such Academy ; 

4. To appoint a Treasurer, Clerk, Principal, and such 
other officers and agents as they shall deem necessary, 
who shall hold their offices during the pleasure of the 
Trustees ; 

5. To ascertain and fix the salaries of all the officers of 
the Academy : 



260 , INSTITUTIONS OP LBABN}NG. 

6. To make all ordinances and by-laws necessary to carry 
into effect the foregoing powers. 
Mb]e*efto"* Sec. 6. Any Institution incorporated under the provisions 
^d*esami- of this Act, shall be always subject to the visitation and 
examination of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, 
and also to a Board of Yisitors, (three in number,) to be 
annually appointed by said Superintendent ; and said Vis- 
itors shall report to said Superintendent as soon after an 
examination as practicable. 
to b«*'a**-°^ Sec. 7. The Tru^ees of any Institution incorporated 
pii«d. under the provisions of this Act, shall apply all funds and 
property belonging thereto, according to their best judg- 
ment, to the promotion of its objects and interests : Pro- 
vided, That any gift, bequest or donation to such Institu- 
tion for any specific object, shall be faithfully applied to 
the object specified by such donor. 
<Macers,may Soc. 8. The Trustecs of any Institution incorporated 

be remixed _ ^ •' ^ 

^ola^^tc ^^^®^ ^^ provisions of this Act, may require the Treasu- 
rer, and all other officers and agents, before entering upon 
the duties of their respective offices, to give bonds and 
securities ia such sums as they may deem proper and 
sufficient. 

Trmstees to Sec. 9. Such Trustces shall be required, on or before the 

report to 

l^pennten- fiygt day of December, annually, to report to the Superm- 
licinstrBc- tendent of Public Instruction, a statement of the name of 
each Trustee, Officer, Teacher and student of such Institu- 
tion, with a statement of its property, the amount of stock 
subscribed, donated and bequeathed, and the amount actu- 
ally paid in, and such other information as will tend to 
exhibit its condition and operations. And said Trustees 
Liability of shall be severally and jointly liable for all the labor per- 

tBstees for . • i n • 

labor per- formed for the Corporation : but no execution shall issue 

formed. ^ ' 

i5"see' t"^*' against any Trustee, till an execution against the Corpora- 
tion shall have been returned unsatisfied, in whole or in 
part; and no such Trustee shall be thus liable, unless suit 
for the collection of such debt shall have been brought 



INSTITUTIOHS OP LEARNING. 261 

against said Corporation within one year after such debt 
shall have become dne.' 

Sec. 10. Service of legal process on any such Corpora- ^f'"^(f*a'Jg^ 
tion, may be made on any one of the Trustees thereof, if cor^ration" 
such Trustee be in the county in which the Institution is 
located ; but if not, then by leaving a copy of such process 
with any oflScer in the employ thereof, at its principal place 
of business. 

Sec. 11. Any Institution of Learning now in existence Existing in- 
in this State, whether incorporated or not, shall be entitled 1^*^^^°^^"® 
to all the benefits of this Act, by complying with the pro-^'|g\')f" 
visions of this Act ; and may, by a vote of the majority of 
such Corporation or unincorporated Company or Associa- 
tion, to be taken according to the act pf incorporation, by- 
laws, or other legal regulations thereof, determine to avail 
itself of the provisions of this Act, and to take and assume 
corporate name and powers thereunder, and may, by a like 
vote, transfer to such Corporatfon, formed under this Act,(^igi»tS'Pow- 

^ ' ' ersand Jia- 

all its property, both real, personal and mixed ; and there- ^^^^'^^^^ 
upon said Corporation, to which such property is so trans- *'°''p'"'*^'°'^" 
ferred, shall take the same in the same manner, to the same 
extent, and with the like effect as the same was previously 
owned and held by the Corporation, Company or Associa- 
tiojn so transferring the same, and may, in its own corporate 
name, sue for and collect all debts, dues, demands, subscrip- 
tions, devises and bequests thereof. The said Corporation 
so taking such property as aforesaid, shall take the same 
subject to all liens, trusts and limitations, both legal and 
equitable, to which the same was subject before such trans- 
fer, and shall also be liable for all the debts and obliga- 
tions of such previous Corporation, Company or Associa- 
tion, and shall pay the same to the full extent of the value 
of such property at the time of so taking the same. 
Sec. 12. Nothing in this Act shall be construed as g-r^nt- ^estricuoa 

"-" ^ ° upon powers 

ing banking powers, or as allowing the business of broker- of corpora, 
age, or any other powers, not usually granted to, or exer- 
cised by Institutions for educational purposes. 



262 INSTITUTIONS OP LEARNING. 

Eeporttobe Sec. 13. It sliall be the duty of tlie President of tke 

made to Su- "^ 

of PubHc^- ^c^ard of Trustees of every organized Academy, or Literary 
stTuetion. Qj. Collegiate Institution, heretofore incorporated or here- 
after to be incorporated, to cause to be made out by the 
principal Instructor, or other proper officer, and forwarded 
by mail or otherwise, to the office of the Superintendent of 
Public Instruction, between the first and fifteenth days of 
December in each year, a report, setting forth the amount 
and estimated value of real estate owned by the Corpora- 
tion, the amount of other funds and endowments, and the 
yearly income from all sources, the number of Instructors, 
Contents of fho uumbor of students in the different classes, the studies 

report. ' 

pursued, and the books used, the course of instruction, the 
terms of tuition, and such other matters as may be specially 
requested by said Superintendent, or as may be deemed 
proper by the President or Principal of such Academies or 
Institutes, to enable the Superintendent of Public Instruc- 
tion to lay before the Legislature a fair and full exhibit of 
the affairs and condition of said Institutions. (^) 



DISTEIBUTION OP PUBLIC EEGORDB.(^) 

sec.ofstatP Sec. 1. It shall the duty of the Secretary of State to 

to fnrnisn *' •' 

d^Q^uments ^^^^^isli to the State Normal School, to the Agricultural 
tostHutions. School, to the Asylum for the Insane, to the Asylum for 
the Deaf, Dumb and Blind, and to each of the incorporated 
colleges within the State, a full set of the laws and public 
documents of the State, as published from time to time, and 
also, as far as it may be possible without re-publication, ta 
furnish to each of the above named institutions, not already 
supplied, a full set of such laws and documents as have 
hitherto been published, and which may now be in the 
possession of the State, and not otherwise appropriated. 

(1) Section 13, passed March 4, 1S49. [Compiled Laws, p. 768.] 

(2) Act Approved Februiry 14, 1859. 



FORMS FOR PROCEEDINGS UNDER THE 
SCHOOL LAW. 



Since the following Forms, except the first three, were 
printed, Form No. XVI has become obsolete by the repeal 
of Section 95 ; and Form No. XVII has been rendered in- 
sufficient by an amendment to Section 85. The Form (of 
Teacher's Certificate) now proper to be used in place of 
the latter, will be found on page 200. 

NO. I. 

Form of Notice hy the Clerk of the Board of Inspectors 
to a Taxable Inhabitant of a District at the time of its 
formation. 

[See Seetions 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 and 129 ] 

ToA.B.: 

Sir — The School Inspectors of the township of 
have formed a School District in said township, to be 
known as District No. , and bounded [here insert the 
description.] 

The first meeting of said District will be held at , 

on the day of , A. D. 18 , at o'clock A. M., 

[or P. M.,] and you are instructed to notify every legal 
voter of said District of the same, at least five days previ- 
ous to said meeting, either personally, or by leaving a 
written notice at his place of residence ; and you will en- 
dorse on this notice a return, showing such notification, 
with the date or dates thereof, and deliver the same to the 
Chairman of said meeting. 

Dated this day of , A. D. 18 . 

(Signed,) C, D., 

Clerk of the Board of School Inspectors. 



288 



FORMS PQiR, PROeEEDINGS 

NO. 11. 



Form of Notice for First Meeting — when made in Writing^ 
he to left at the hoiise of a Legal Voter* 

[See Sections 1, 2, IS and 129.] 

ToC.B.: 

Sir — School District No. , of the towhship of 
having been formed by the Inspectors, yon are hereby 
notified that the first meeting thereof will be held at , 

on the day of , A. D. 18 , at o'clock in the 

noon. 
Dated this day of , 18 . 

(Signed.) A. B., 

TJie person appointed to give Notice. 



NO. III. 

Form of Endorsement upon the Notice — Form No. 
" Taxable Inhabitant." 



I— by 



I,A- 



B- 



[See Sections 3 and 15] 

-, hereby return the within (or annexed) 



notice, and have notified the qualified voters of the Dis- 
tiict, as foUows : 



NAMES. 




HOW NOTIFIED. 



A- 
C- 



B- 
D- 



Personally. 
Written notice. 



Dated at 



, this day of 
(Signed,) 



,18 



A. B. 



UNDER THE SCHOOL LAW. 289 

NO. IV. 

Form of Acceptance of o-ffice ly District 0-fflcers^ to he flUd 
with the Director. 

[See Sections 5, 130 and 148.] 

I do hereby certify my acceptance of tlie office of 
in School District No. of the township [[of 
Dated this day of , 18 . 

(Signed,) A. B. 



NO. V. 

Form of Not/ice of Annual Meetings. 

[See Sections 11, 13, 50 and 130,] 

Notice is hereby given, that the annual meeting of 
School District No. , of the township of , for the 

election of School District Officers, and for the transaction 
of such other business as may lawfully come before it, will 
be held at , on Monday, the day of September, 

A. D. 18 , at o'clock in the noon. 

Dated this day of September, 18 . 

(Signed,) , Director. 



NO. VI. 

Form of Request to le made hy five Legal Voters of a Dis- 
trict to the DistHct Board for the calling of a Special 
Meeting. 

[34e Section 12.] 

To the District Board of School District No. , [or to A. 

B., &c., one*of the District Board :] 

The undersigned, legal voters of School District No. 
of the township of , request you, in pursuance of 

38 



290 FOEMS FOR PROCEEDINGS 

Section 12, of the Primarv Scliooi Law, to call a special 
meeting of said District, for the purpose of 
Dated this day of ^ A. D. 18 . 

(Signed,) 



Form of Notice of S])eGial Meetings. 

[See Sections 12, 13 and 50.] 

Notice is hereby given to the taxable inhabitants of 
School District No. , in the township* of , that in 

pursuance of a written request of five legal voters of said 
District, a special meeting of said District will be held at 
, on the day of , A. D., 18 , for [here in- 

sert the object or objects of the meeting.] 

(Signed,) A. B., Director. 



NO. VII. 

Form of Bate Bill and "Warrant. 

[See Sections 29, 32, 33, 3-i, 35, 45, 46 and 58.] 

Eate Bill, containing the nam.e of each person liable for 

Teachers' wages in District No. , in the township of 

, for the term ending on the day of , A. D, 

18 , and the amount for which each person not exempted 

''• Vary for fractional DLstricts, 



UNDER THE SCHOOL LAW. 



291 



from the payment thereof is so liable, with the fees of the 
Assessor thereon. 



Names ot inhabitants 
st-ndinn; to School. 



Whole No. of Amount of lAsses.s'rsfeesI Amount for 
days sent. School bill. , thereon. | fuel. 



Whole am't 
to be raised. 



James Emerson 
John L. Barney 
William Jones,. 
Peter Parley,. . . 
S. C. G-oodrich, 

M. Barney, 

r. Sawyer, 



104 
416 
313 
54 
104 
104 
416 



SI 041 
4 U\ 

3 m 

54! 

1 04 
1 04 

4 16 



1511 $15 11 



10 05 
21 
16 
03 
05 
05 
21 



$0 76 



$1 25 
50 



$1 09 



68 
29 



67 

1 62 



09 
37 



$1 75 



$17 71 



, in the Toivns/dp 



To the Assesses' of School District No. 

of 

You are hereby commanded to collect from each of the 
persons in the annexed rate bill named, the several sums 
set opposite their respective names in the last column 
thereof, and within sixty days after receiving this warrant, 
to pay over the amount so collected by you, (retaining five 
per cent, for your fees.) to the order of the Director of 
said District, countersigned by the Moderator ; and in case 
any person therein named, shall neglect or refuse, on de- 
mand, to pay the amount set opposite his name as afore- 
said, you are to collect the same by distress and sale of the 
good;? and chattels of such persons wherever found, within 
the county or counties in which said District is situated, 
having first published said sale at least ten days, by post- 
ing up notices thereof in three public places in the town- 
ship where such property shall be sold. 

At the expiration of this warrant, you will make a re- 
turn thereof in writing, with the rate bill attached, to the 
Director ; stating the amount collected on said rate bill, 
the amount uncollected, and the names of persons from 
whom collections have not been made. 

* In the preceding rate bill those persons -rrho are not rated for fuel, furnished the same ac- 
cording to the provisions of Section 40. Those who did not furnish their proportion of fuel, 
are charged for fuel in the rate bill accordine; to the pro\'ision8 of the same Section, and five 
per cent, for collecting the same. (See Section 45.) 



292 POEMS FOR PROCEEDINGS 

Griven under our hands this day of , in the year 

of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and 

A. B,, Director. 
0. D., 3foderator. 

HemarJc 1.. In making out the rate bill for a term of 
School, the amount of public money to be applied to the 
term is first deducted from the amount of the Teacher's 
wages, and any balance remaining to be collected, is ap- 
portioned to the several persons having sent to School 
during the term, in proportion to the number of days sent 
by each. 

BemarJc 2. Any money received for tuition of children 
attending School from without the District, under any rule 
established by the District, or by the District Board, is to 
be applied like the public money in the reduction of the 
Teacher's wages ; but — 

BemarJc 3. In case children are received into the Dis- 
trict to attend School, without any condition having been 
imposed, the persons sending them should be embraced in 
the rate bill, and the amount due from them should be col- 
lected as in other cases. ' 

BemarJc 4. In case it becomes necessary to enforce a col-, 
lection, the Assessor should post the following notice in 
three public places in the township, at least ten days pre- 
vious to sale ; 

Fonii of Notice of Assessoi^'s Sale. 

[See Sections 33, 34 aad 46.] 

Notice is hereby given, that by virtue of the warrant 
annexed to a rate bill for School District No, , of the 
township of , bearing date the day of ? 18 , , 

I have levied on the goods and chattels of , and 

shall expose the same for sale at public auction, at the 
house of , in the said School District, (or where- 

ever the property may be,) in the township of and 



county of , on tlie 

of o'clock, M. 

Given under my hand at 
18 . 



UNDER THE SCHOOL LAW. 293 

day of , 18 , at the hour 



, this day of 
E. 0. B., 

Assessor of said District. 



Hemark 5. The following is a proper form for Assessor's 
return to accompany the rate bill and warrant : 

Assessor'^s Betuiii of Warrant 

I, , Assessor of School District No. , town- 

ship of , do hereby make this, my return of the an- 

nexed warrant, with rate bill attached, aiad certify the 
amount collected on said rate bill to be the sum of 
dollars and cents ] the amount uncollected, 

dollars and cents ; and that the following are the 

names of persons from whom collections have not been 
made, and the amounts which are uncollected from each 
person : 



Dollars. 



Cents. 



Dated this 



day of 
(Signed,) 



A.D. 18 



A. B., Assessor. 



Any sums that cannot be collected by the Assessor are 
to be included in the next report of the District Board to 
the Supervisor, as provided in Section 57. 

For neglect to collect any sum or sums embraced in the 
rate bill that are collectable, the Assessor is subject to a 
penalty of ten dollars. (See Section 130.) 



294 F0KM3 FOR PEOCBEDINGS 

XO. VIII. 

Form of Contract 'between Director and TeacJitr. 

[See Sections 3£>. 00 and S5.] 

It is agreed between A. B., Director of School District 
No. , in the township of , on the part of said Dis- 

trict, and C. D., a qualified Teacher of the township 
of , that the said C. D. is to teach the Primary School 

of said District for the term of , commenciDg" on 

the "" day of , A D. IS , for the sum of 

per ; and that for such services, properly rendered, 

the said A. B. is to pay the said C. D. the amount of his 
wages as ascertained by this memorandum, on or before 
the day of , A. D. 18 . 

In witness whereof the said parties have hereunto set 
their names this day of , A. D. 18 . 

A. B,, Director, 
C. D., TeacJier. 
This contract is approved by 
E. F., Moderator, 
Gr. H., Assessor. 

Bemark 1. The Teacher should be furnished with a copy 
of this contract, and a duplicate should be filed with the 
Director. 

HemarJ:. 2. The wages should be specified per week or 
month. The latter is preferable. [See Note C] 

Bemark 3. Section 60 expressly provides that no School 
moneys apportioned to any District, shall be appropriated 
to any other use than the payment of Teachers' wages, 
and that no part thereof shall be paid to any Teacher who 
has not received a certificate from the School Inspectors 
before commencing the ScJiool. [See Form No. 17.] 

Bemark 4. In case of enlarged District Boards, the ap- 
proval of at least two of the four Trustees is necessary in 
the employment of Teachers, in addition to the approval 
of the Moderator or Assessor. 



UNDER THE SCHOOL LAW. 205 

The concurrence essential in the employment of Teachers 
is stated at length in Note 0., which see. 



NO. IX. 

Form of Endorsement for the Extens^/m of Wrtrravt. 

rs<'e Section 47.] 

We do hereby extend the time for the collection ot the 
annexed rate bill, thirty days, [any shorter period may be 
specified.] beyond the time named in the annexed [within] 
warrant. 

Dated this day of . 18 . 

A. B., Director, 
C. D., Moderator. 



XO. X. 

Form of Order 'wpon Assessor for Mcyneys to he disbursed hy 
School jDist/ricts. 

[Sec Sections 29 and 53 ] 

Assesscr of School District No. , Toiunship of 

Pay to the order of . the sum of dollars 

out of any moneys in your haiidw belonging to the aforesaid 

School District. 
Dated this day of A. D. 18 . 

A. B., Director. 

NoiK. — ^Th"? above order mast be coaDter>!mr;d bv thf '.'r.riemVir 



NO. XI. 

Farm of Warrant upon Tovyaship Treasurer for Morceys 
belonging to School Districts. 

[See Sections 20, bZ an! lOQ.] 

Treasurer of the Toiunship oj 

Pay to the order of . the sum of dollars, 

out of [here insert the particular fund,] in your hands, be- 



296 - POEMS FOR PROCEEDINGS 

longing to Scliool District No. , of said townsMp. 
Dated at , this day of , A. D. 18 . 

A. B., Director. 

NcHE.— Tiie above warrant must be countersigned by the Moderator. 



NO. XIL 

Frn'-iii of Bejyort l)y the District Board to the Supervisor, 

[See Sections 56, 57, 58,n06 and 108.] 

Bv/pef visor of the Township of 
The "undersigned, District Board for Scliool District No. 
5 in said township, do hereby certify that the follow- 
ing taxes have] been voted in said district, during the 
School year last closed, viz : 

[Here specify the amount of each tax voted, and the 
purpose to which it is appropriated : Also, the amount of 
taxes imposed by the District Board, and give the sum to^ 
tal of the whole,] which you will assess upon the taxable 
property of said District, as the law directs. 

Dated at , this day of A. D. 18 . 

A. B., Moderator, 
C. D., Director, 
E. F., Assessor. 



NO. XIII. 

Form of Assessor's Bond. 

[See Sections 61 and 62.] 

KnoWg all men by these presents, That we, A. B., [the 
Assessor of School District No. , in the township of 
,] CD. and E. F., [his sureties,] are held and 
fomly bound unto the said District, in the sum of [here 
insert a sum of double the amount to come into the Asses- 
sor's hands,] to be paid to the said District ; for the pay- 
ment of which sum well and truly to be made, we bind 



UNDER THE SCHOOL LAW. 297 

ourselves, our heirs, executors and administrators, jointly 
and severally, firmly by these presents. 

The condition of this obligation is such, that if A. B., 
Assessor of said District, shall faithfully apply all moneys 
that shall come into his hands by virtue of his office, then 
this obligation shall be void ; otherwise of full force and 
virtue. 

Sealed with our Seals, and dated this day 

of A. D. 18 . 

A. B., [L. s.] 
C. D., [L. s.] 
• E. F., [L. s.] 
Signed, sealed and delivered in ) 
presence of j" 

Remark. This bond should be endorsed as follows : 
" We approve the within bond." 

[Signed.] G. H., Moderator, 

I. K., Director, 



NO. XIY. 

Form of Bond to he given hj the Chaimian of the Board of 

School Insjjectors. 

[See Sections 68, 69 and 70.] 

Know all men by these presents, that we, A. B., [the 
chairman ^of the Board of School Inspectors of the town- 
ship of ,] and C. D. and E. F., [his sureties,] are 
held, and firmly bound unto the said township, in the sum 
of, [here insert the sum of double the amount to come into 
said chaiyman's hands, as nearly as the same can be as- 
certained,] for the payment of which sum well and truly 
to be tnade to the said township, Ave bind ourselves, our 
heirs, executors and administrators, jointly and severally, 
firmly by these presents. 

38 ' . 



298 ■ FORMS FOR PROCEEDINGS 

The condition of this, obligation is snch, that if A. B,, 
chairman of the Board of School Inspectors, shall faithfully 
appropriate all moneys that may come into his hands by 
virtue of his office, then this obligation shall be void, other- 
wise of full force and virtue. 

Sealed with our seals, and dated this day of , 

A. D., 18 . 

A. B., [L. s.] 
C. D, [L. s.] 

B. F., [L. s.] 

Signed, sealed and delivered in ) 
presence of f 

Remark. This bond should be given before any moneys 

come into his hands, and should be endorsed as follows : 

" I approve the Avithin bond." 

[Signed,] G-. H., ToivnsJiip Clerk. 



NO. XY. 

Form of Ap])ointment of District Ofwer shy District Board. 

[See Section 66.] 

The undersigned, members of the District Board of 
School District No. , in the township of , do 

hereby appoint A. B., Director of said District, to fill tho 
vacancy created by the removal, [resignation or death, as 
the case may be,] of C. D,, the late incumbent. 
Dated this day of , A. D. 18 . 

E. F., Moderator. 
G. H., Assessor. 

Bemarh 1. The words in italics in the above form should 
be varied to suit the case. 

Bemarh 2. The Director should record any appointmeat 
that may be made, and persons appointed to office.should 
file with the Director a certificate of acceptance, according 
to the provisions of Section 5. [See Form No. 4.] 



UNDER THE SCHOOL LAW. 299' 

NO. XVI. 

Form of Ai)imntriwnt of District 0-fficers^ hy School In- 

sj)ectors. 

[See Section 95.] 

The undersigned, School Inspectors for the township 
of , do hereby appoint 0. P., Assessor of School Dis- 

trict No. , in said township, to fill the vacancy created 
by the death of Q. R., the late incumbent. 
Dated this day of , A. D. 18 . 

A. B., 
CD., 
E. F., 
School Inspectors. 

jfK5~ See tho r<-^mark3 following the preeeJing Form. 

NO. XVII. 

Form of Certificate to he given hy School Ins^yectors to Qual- 
ified Teachers. 

[See Sections 39, 85, 86, 87, 8S, 89 and 90.] 

The undersigned, Inspectors of Primary Schools for the 
township of , in the county of , having person- 

ally examined A. B. at a regular meeting of the Board, 
called for that purpose, and having ascertained his [or her] 
qualifications in respect to moral character, learning, and 
ability to instruct a Primary School, do hereby cbrtift, 
that he [or she] is duly qualified for that service, and ac- 
cordingly he [or she] is hereby licensed to teach Primary 
Schools in said township for two years from the date 
hereof, unless this certificate shall, before that time, be 
annulled according to law. 

Given under our hands thi? day of , A. D. IS . 

CD., 
E. F., 
G. H. 
School Inspectors, 

iilj' ■"v" 3d Remark following Form Xo. S. 



300 FORMS FOE, PROCEEDINGS 

NO. XVIIL 

■ Form of Notice of Meeting of Ins^eGtovs for Examination 
of School Teacliers. 

[See Section S6.] 

Notice is hereby given, that for the purpose of making 
an examination of all persons who may offer themselves as 
candidates for Teachers of the Primary Schools of this 
township, the Board of School Inspectors thereof will meet 
[here insert the time and place of meeting.] 

Dated this day of , 18 „ 

A. B., Township Glerh. 

Remarlc 1. Whenever tlie Inspectors deem it necessarj? 
to re-examine any Teacher, they shall serve the following 
notice upon him, according to the provisions of Section 90 .* 

Fonn of Notice for Re-examination. 

To A. B.: 

Sir, — You are hereby notified that the undersigned, 
School Inspectors for the township of , will hold a 

meeting at on the day of , at o'clock. 

. M. You will please appear before them at the time 
and place aforesaid, for re-examination. It is our purpose 
to annul your certificate if you are found deficient in the 
qualifications requisite for a Primary School Teacher. 

4^ This notice should be dated and signed in the same manner as the above Certificate. 

Bemarh 2. In case it be found necessary to annul the 
Teacher's certificate, it shall be sufficient for that purpose 
for the Clerk of th© Board of School Inspectors to make 
the usaal record of their proceedings : Provided, the 
Teacher appears before them and gives up his certificate,, 
which it is his duty to do. Otherwise, in addition to said 
record, the Inspectors shall cause the following notice to 
be posted up in three public places in the township, or to 
be inserted in a newspaper of the township, if there b© 
one: 



UNDER THE SCHOOL LAW. 301 

"The undersigned, School Inspectors for the township 
of , having this day re-examined A. B., a Primary 

School Teacher in said township, and regarding him in- 
competent to discharge the duties of his office, we hereby 
give notice that his certificate is annulled according to the 
provisions of law." 

tW^ This notice should ho dated and signed in the same manner as the preceding one. 



NO. XIX. 

Form of Certificate to he given to the Director of a School 
Distrrict hj the Boards of School Inspectors when they es- 
tcMish the Site. 

[iee Sections 19 and 20.] 

The inhabitants of District No. , in the township 

of , having failed, at a legal meeting, to establish 

a site for a School-house, the Board of School Inspectors 
hereby certify, that they have determined that the said 
site shall be as follows : [Describe as in the deed.] 

Given under our hands this day of , A. D. 18 . 

A. B., 
•C. D., 
E. F., 
Sclwol Inspectors. 



NO. XX. 

Forrii of a Deed. 

[See Section 59.] 

Know all men by these presents. That A. B. and C. D., 
his wife, of the township of , in the county of , 

and State of Michigan, party of the first part, for and in 
consideration of the sum of dollars, to them paid by 

the District Board of School District No. , of the town- 
ship, county and State aforesaid, the receipt whereof is 
hereby acknowledged, do hereby grant, bargain, sell and 



302 FOEMS FOR PSOCEEDINGB 

convey to School District No. . the part}- of the second 
part, and their assigns, forever, the foUo-wing described 
ppa'cel of land, namely : 

[Here insert description.] 
Together with all the privileges and appurtenances 
thereunto belonging, to have and to hold the same to the 
said party of the second part, and their assigns, forever. 
And the said party of the first part, for themselves, theii' 
heirs; executors and administrators, do covenant, grant, 
bargain and agree, to and with the said party of the second 
part, and their assigns, that at the time of the ensealing 
and delivery of these presents, they were well seized of 
the premises above conveyed, as of a good, sure, perfect. 
absolute and indefeasible estate of inheritance in the law, 
in fee simple, and that the said lands and premises are free 
from all encumbrances whatever ; and that the above bar- 
gained premises, in the quiet and peaceable possession of 
the said party of second part, and their assigns, against all 
and every person or persons lawfully claiming or to claim 
the whole or any part thereof, they will forever warrant 
and defend. 

In witness whereof, the said A. B. and C. D., his wife, 
party of the first part, have hereunto set their hands and 
^seals, this day of A. D. 18 . 

A. B., [seal.] 
C. D., [seal.] 

Signed, sealed and delivered in ) 

presence of H. I., V 

J. K. ) 

EemarTc. In order to protect the District in its title to 
a site, the deed thereof must be recorded in the Eegister's 
oiSce. 

;gi3= It will readily be seen how the preceding form should be varied, in case the peisoa 
siriD^ a deed is unmarried. 



UNDER THJE SCHOOL LAW. 303 

NO. XXI. 

Form of a Lease. 

[See Section 5'j.] 

Know all men by these presents, that A. B., of the town- 
ship of , in the county of . , and State of 
Michigan, of the first part, for the consideration herein 
mentioned, does hereby lease unto School District No. , 
in the township, county and State aforesaid, party of the 
' second part, and their assigns, the following parcel of land, 
to- wit : [here insert description ;] with all the privileges 
and appurtenances thereunto belonging ; to have and to 
hold the same for and during the term of years from 
the day of , A. D. 18 . And the said party of 
the second part, for themselves and their assigns, do cove- 
nant and agree to pay the said party of the first part, for 
the said premises, the annual rent of dollars. 

In testimony whereof, the said parties have hereunto set 
their hands and seals, this day of , A. D. 18 . 

A. B., [seal.] 

Lessor. 
CD.,) 

E. F., V [SEAL.] 

G.H. ) 

District Board of School District No. of the aforesaid 

township. 

Signed and sealed in the presence ) 
of I. J.. V 

K. L. ) 

Remark. A Lease, like a Deed, must be recorded in the 

Register's oflSce, in order to protect the District in its title 

to a site. 

J8®" The Lessor will probably want a copy of the lease. If so, a duplicate should be made 
and Bigned as alove, and placed on file with the Director, to be delivered with other papers 
^ of hia oflice to hLs successor. 



304 



FORMS FOR PROCEEDINGS 



OS 



rf^ 



en 



Whole District. 



Fractional District. 



S " ° o 

• B'tS-a- 
cr*. O -* 



Number of Children in the District hetween the ages of four and 
eighteen years. 



Whole number of Chfldren that have attended School during the 
year. 



Number of months a School has been taught during the year by 
qualified Teachers. 



Name of each Qualified Teacher. 

(See Note relating to " Qualified Teschers.") 



Number of months a School has been taught by each Teacher. 



Total amount of ivages paid to each Teacher. 



Amount of public money received from To-maship Treasurer. 



Whole amount of money raised by tax upon property in the District. 



To build School-house. 



To repair School house. 



On the Scholar, to pay Teachers' Tvages- 
rfi- (See Section 140.) 



For all other purposes. 





n 


IP- 




o 




Tl 





rr 


e 


















«■ 


si 




CD 


t= 



Amount raised by rate bill. 



:5=i 



i 

Si 






^ 


m 

a 


^ 






o 


©. 


ai 


• 




& 
s 




1 


• 



^ s 



o 

I!-' 



UNDER THE SCHOOL LAW. 305 

NOTES TO FOEM NO. XXII. 

Fractional Districts^ No. 2. — A full report from a frac- 
tional District should be made only to the Inspectors 
op the township in which the School-house is situated. 
(See Section 81.) 

A SEPARATE REPORT should be made to the Clerk of each 
of the other townships in which the District is IN part 
situated, giving merely 1^^ the number of children be- 
tween the ages of four and eighteen years, residing in that 
part of the District situated within each of said town- 
ships."®^ This latter report is required by Section 82, 
and constitutes the basis upon which books are drawn from 
the Township Library in accordance with the provisions 
of Sections 82 and 115, but ceases to be of any practical 
utility where the operations of the latter Section are sus- 
pended in accordance with the provisions of Section 144. 

Qualified Teachers, No. 6. — A "Qualified Teacher," within 
the meaning of the statutes, is one who holds a certificate 
from the School Inspectors, in accordance with the provi- 
sions of Section 85 of the School Law. District Boards 
should see that all Teachers they employ possess such a 
certificate before beginning to teach a School. Other- 
wise, they can neither pay them public money, nor receive 
any on account of their teaching. (See Sections 60 and 80.) 



39 



306 



FORMS FOB PROCEEDINGS 





H-i 


Whole Distrints. 


No. o 
Distric 
School 
IS inth 
ship. 




bO 


Fractional Districts. 


B g i? g. 


■ 




Number of ChUdren in each District between the ages of four and 
eighteen jears. 




Whole number of Children that have attended School during the 
jear. 




Number of months a School has been taught in each District by 
quahfied Teachers. 




Number of qualified male Teachers that have been employed in each 
District. 




Number of qualified female Teachers that have been employed in 
each District. 




Total amovmt of wages paid to Teachers in each District. 




»— ' 

o 


Amount of Public Money received from Township Trersurer in each 
District. 




1— ' 

1—1 


Whole amount of money raised by tax upon property in each 
Distiict. 






To build School house. 


Purposes for which it was 
raised, and the amouni 
raised for each particular 
purpose. 




CO 


To repair School-house. 




1— ' 


On the scholar, to pay Teachers' wages. 




cn 


For all other purposes. 




C: 


Amount raised by rate bUl. 




-a 


Number of Volumes in the Township Library. 




1— ' 
oc 


Amount of mill tax raised in the township. 

[See Sections 107, 142 and 143.] 




I— 1 


Amount of fines, peraltiea, etc , received of County Trea 
purchase of bocks for Township Library. 

[See Section 118 ] 


surer for the 



UNDER THE SCHOOL LAW. 307 

Annual tleports. 

Great pains have been taken in the preparation of the 
preceding forms for the Annual Reports of Directors 
and School Inspectors. It is made the duty of these offi- 
cers to make full returns. In some instances the reports 
have hardly shown more than the number of children be- 
tween the ages of four and eighteen years. 

To facilitate the work of making these reports, and to 
obviate any occasion for mistakes, the corresponding heads 
in the several forms are designated by the same number. 
No. 11 should embrace the total amount of taxes upon 
property, raised by the districts for School purposes, ex- 
cepting that specified in No. 16. The money raised by 
townships will be reported under head No. 18. 

[See notes J. and K. ; also notes appended to the tables 
in the Superintendent's Report.] 

NO. XXIV. 

Form of Wa/rra/nt on the TownsJiip Treasurer fon' IMmmi 

Moneys. 

pee Sections 107, 109 and 116,] 

T^ the Treasiter of the Toivnship of Cowaty of , 

Mich. : 
Pay to the order of , the sum of dollars, 

from any Library moneys now in your hands, or to come 
into your hands, the same being for Library Books pxir- 
chased for the Library of said township. 

Dated at , this day of 18 . 

A, B., 
C. D., 

Township Board of School Ins;pedors, 

JKS'The form of this warrant may be yaTiecl to suit the circamstanees^oftlie case. 



:E» .A. JEL T Z X X . 

Thb Primary School System; 
School Architecture; 
School Furniture ; 
School Apparatus; 
School Arrangements; 
Warming and Ventilation; 
School and Literary Books. 



THE PRIMARY SCHOOL SYSTEM. 



ORIGINAL DESIGN. 

The original legal provisions for the support and man- 
agement of the Primary Schools of Michigan were of a 
general character, and made no distinction between the 
different circumstances of the most sparsely populated 
settlements and the growing towns or villages. At the 
time of the passage of the first Primary School law by the 
Territorial government, and even when the State Consti- 
tution was adopted, and the first State School law enacted, 
there were very few villages large enough to furnish more 
scholars than could be accommodated in a single School, 
house. Had it been otherwise, it is probable that the 
legislation would have been the same; for the reason that 
the defects of the system, copied from older States, had 
not been considered, and no remedy was of course sought. 
The legislation seemed only to provide for, or to anticipate 
for the future, single Districts, to include no more territory 
than would furnish scholars sufficient for a single School- 
house, and one Teacher. This was probably the only svs- 
tem adapted to the necessities of sparsely settled sections 
where to obtain the required number of scholars for a 
School, some must travel perhaps two miles, with bad roads, 
to reach a common centre. 

The only system thus adapted to the necessities of the 
case in the country, was given also to the towns ; and in 
many instances, the small villages, with the territory im- 
mediately adjacent, furnished no more than enough scholars 
for a single District. While this state of things continued, 



312 PEIMART SCHOOL SYSTEM. 

it was all that could be done ; but in three or four years, 
perhaps, the increase of population was such, that one 
Schoolhcuse was not large enough ; and the first, and 
probably the only thought was, to divide the District and 
build another house ; naturally leaving the old one badly 
located, in reference to its new relations. But soon a 
swarming of both hives was necessary, and another divi- 
sion was made, and a third District created. Thus in 
many villages there were created, in a very few years, two, 
three, and four School Districts, with as many enclosures 
dignified with the name of Schoolhouses, within pistol 
shot of each other, and most of them badly located. 

One section of the village, perhaps, had a School eight 
months in the year, another six, and another three — or 
none at all. Each acted independently of the others, as 
Districts ; one may have had what was called a good School, 
(good by comparison,) and another, a wretchedly poor one — 
and sometimes the only rivalry seemed to be, to prove 
which could have the most objectionable School appliances, 
and the worst management, and acquire the reputation of 
sustaining the name of a School with the least espense. 
In some instances it may be, a District might be found, 
where a few citizens of enlarged and liberal views, were 
able to infuse a similar spirit into the hearts of their neigh- 
bors, and in their District a Schoolhouse was built and 
furnished in a style that was the delight of the children, 
and the pride of its patrons ; while the children of an ad- 
joining District — the every-day playmates, out of School, 
of the favored ones — were required to assemble at the 
miserable hovel, built with less taste, and attended to with 
less care, than was the horse-barn of many of the fathers 
of the injured pupils. Two lads might leave home from 
opposite sides of the street, walk together for a time, and 
one turn one way to his pleasant School, with joyous asso- 
ciations, while the other went another way to his School, 



PRIMARY SCHOOL SYSTEM. 313 

envious of his fellow, and disgnsted and disheartened by 
the prospect before him. 

Under such circumstances, the children often felt that 
they were paying a dear price for their education, inas- 
much as it was at the expense of all pleasant enjoyment, 
and by doing continual penance. Their oppressed hearts 
told them that their parents were doing them a serious 
wrong, in thus degrading them, while their friends were 
provided with an elegant building, a popular Teacher, and 
everything to make their School pleasant and desirable. 

THE MAIN DIFFICULTY. 

But the above were not the only, or the greatest evils 
of the system. The District in which the most enterprise 
was shown, was yet sadly deficient in the highest means of 
success. There was a radical defect in the system, which 
could be but partially removed in a small District School, 
with a single Teacher. 

A man with but one mind, or but two hands, can hardly 
be expected to do half a dozen things at the same time, 
and do all well. If half a dozen things must be done at 
the same time, and in the best possible manner, the first 
suggestion of any mind would be, that at least three (if 
not six) persons should be employed. But if the place 
where the work is to be done is so small that but one per- 
son can occupy it, then he alone must do the best he can, 
and labor with such success as he may. This is the diffi- 
culty in the single-District School. There are several 
things to be accomplished, and there is room for but one 
laborer. 

There are several things to be done, or several grades 
of labor, in the Primary School. They all relate to the 
same subject, but comprise a variety in action, scarcely 
less than will be found in the manufacture of the Teacher's 
desk, from the time the tree is cut in the forest, till it re- 
ceives the last application of varnish from the' hand of the 

40 



314 PRIMARY SCHOOL SYSTEM. 

finislier. Teaching a child his letters is as unlike teaching 
Algebra, as sawing the lumber for the desk is unlike put- 
ting the lock upon the drawer. And if one Teacher is 
required to do both, including all the intermediate branches, 
perhaps ten or twelve in number, can he be expected to 
^abor otherwise than under most serious obstacles to suc- 
cess ? Difficulties in the government of a School similar 
to those in teaching, will be found where all ages are 
brought together. The child of six years not only should 
be taught by a standard different from the one adapted to 
the youth of sixteen, but he should be governed by a dif- 
ferent rule. Andthis it is extremely difficult to do, in a 
School of promiscuous ages. Many a little one has been 
almost martyrized by rules made for the larger scholars. 

Suppose a Director orders three dozen desks for his 
Schoolhouse and the manufacturer has them in different 
stages of progress. He divides them into six classes, ac- 
cording to the amount of work that has been done upon 
each. In the morning he commences his labor by working 
half an hour upon the class just commenced ; then he 
works half an hour upon a class that was commenced yes- 
terday ; then half an hour upon a class ready to be put to- 
gether — and so on, till the last thirty minutes before noon 
are spent upon those which are thereby completed. In. 
the afternoon he goes through the same varieties. What 
would be thought of such a mechanic's judgment ? His 
folly would be as deplorable as is the necessity of an anal- 
ogous course in the best classification that can be made in 
a single-District School. In the latter case, however, the 
Teacher can do no better. He divides the material upon 
which he works — the knowledges which he is manufactur- 
ing — into several classes, according to their state of ad- 
vancement, and appropriates a few minutes to each in ro- 
tation ; and while he is attending to one class, the others 
are to a greater or less extent, losing the time. This is a 
traded School, in the lowest sense : so low that the term is 



PRIMARY SCHOOL SYSTEM. 315 

inapplicable ; and the divisions are by common consent 
called "classes." Yet to this necessity is the Teacher in 
the single-District School shut up. 

Under this system every District must secure a Teacher 
competent in every branch of study to be pursued ; and 
the inevitable result was, that in most Schools, only the 
common elementary branches could be taught, whatever 
the number in the District who might wish to take deeper 
draughts at the fountain of knowledge. Yet this system 
has until recently, been generally pursued from generation 
to generation ; and the youth who wished for more than 
the mere elements of an education in School, has been 
subjected to the expense of leaving the paternal roof to 
obtain it. The great portion could not do this, and thou- 
sands have thus outgrown the Primary School, and gone 
through life, vainly dreaming of realms of knowledge to 
which they might never attain. 

Thousands of our fellow citizens now in middle life, as 
well as of more advanced age, obtained what was called " a 
good Common School education," and yet never studied 
anything more than Reading, Writing, Grammar, Arith- 
matic and Geography. Their subsequent education has 
been only self directed, and though an active mind must 
progress, with what immense loss has it been ! Many a 
young man in the country has gone through with these 
studies, and at the age of fifteen he knew all that his in- 
structor could teach him ; and thus situated, with a bare 
foundation laid, and his soul panting for a higher flight, he 
found no one to point out his course, to direct him to high- 
er studies — much less to instruct him in them ! 

Many a man it is not doubted, will in these remarks see 
his history written. With buoyant spirit he took the hand 
of his guide in the path of knowledge. From the humility 
and ignorance of childhood, up the base of the hill of sci- 
ence he rose. At every step, new beauties met his eye, 
new aspirations thrilled his soul, fatigue was forgotten, 



316 PRIMAEY SCHOOL SYSTEM. 

imagination foretold his triumph, and he dreamed of no 
barrier that he could not easily surmount, to prevent his 
standing ere long upon the hill-top, where he could take in 
the almost boundless view of all knowledge! But alas! 
in the midst of his high hopes and brilliant anticipations, 
his guide informed him that he had accompanied him as 
far as he had ever been — as far as he had strength to go, 
and he must pause in his journey, or seek another guide. 
He could neither guide him farther, or direct him what 
path to pursue, in an effort to go alone. His circumstances 
did not allow of his finding a competent guide ; his prospect 
was blighted, and he has since been wandering in the wil- 
derness of knowledge, with comparatively slight progress, 
vainly longing to stand upon the summit of the mount, 
where he may hold converse with the mysteries of that ex- 
istence which he dimly sees and strangely feels ! 

The great portion of Primary Schools in the land could 
not secure Teachers for any other than the lower branches 
pursued ; and many who were employed, were incompetent 
even in those. The wages usually paid, were not a suffi- 
cient inducement for men to qualify themselves for the 
work, much less to make it a profession. Poor pay, short 
terms, and disgusting Schooihouses, were not peculiarly 
calculated to inspire a love of teaching, in those who were 
fitted for it; and the army of Teachers was composed 
mainly of young men who could not earn a dollar a day by 
labor, and young women who found it their most genteel 
means of aiding an indigent family, or of buying their wed- 
ding dress. Neither class expected to follow the pursuit 
for any considerable length of time. Occasionally there 
might be one who was considered a sort of professional 
Teacher; but in a majority of such instances, probably, 
they were those who had failed in other pursuits. 

Doubtless those who taught, had some ambition to excel 
— but what a standard ! They could not go to the neces- 
sary expense and time for a thorough preparation, and 



PRIMARY SCHOOL SYSTEM. 317 

their only mcdel was in the Teachers who had preceded 
them. Those they fctrovo to excel hy imitating them !^ As 
i/iezV Teacher "kept the School," so they kept it! And 
required as they were, to do a dozen things at once, it is 
not strange that the work was poorly done, and that the 
pupils made no greater progress in the common branches, 
in two years, than they might have made in one, had they 
been taught to reason as well as to recite, to think as well 
as to remember, and to investigate causes as well as effects. 

A soldier who excelled in every martial characteristic, 
except that he was repeatedly intoxicated, was asked by 
his commander, why he who was a pattern soldier in all 
other respects, would persist in degrading himself by that 
one bad habit. Touching his hat with overacted polite- 
ness, he replied : " Why, Captain, could you expect to find 
a man with all the cardinal virtues for seven dollars a 
month?" And thus might the Teachers of Common 
Schools have asked in former days — and perhaps, some- 
times yet : Can j^ou expect all knowledge in a School 
Master, for less wages than he can earn by sawing wood?t 
Is it a wonder that Common Schools came to be regarded 
with no small degree of contempt by all — parents, Teach- 
ers and scholars? Is it any wonder that so many attended 
School with little or no interest in its exercises — realizing 
only the idea of poor Schools for poor scholars? 

The whole system was defective, and calculated to per- 
petuate a race of poor Teachers, half developed scholars, 
and uninterested parents. With wages so low that few 
were tempted to engage in teaching, save those who were 
too young, or too incompetent, or too indolent, to enter 

* The writer once making an official visit to a School "kept" by a "qualified teacher," 
urged upon him that he might derive advantage from the experieoce of others, and for tJiis 
purpose invilel him to become a subscriber to a School Journal published in the State. But 
he indignantly rejected the proposition, saying, " his own experience had placed him beyond 
the reach of improvement t" He excelled only in imitating himself. 

f An experienced female Teacher, receiving a visit from a School officer at her School, feel- 
ing that an apology was necessary for its appearance, remarked to her visitor : " It ain't much 
they pays me ; and it ain't nmch I teaches their chiWren." 



318 PRIMARY SCHOOL SYSTEM. 

upon the ordinary pursuits of life, and with Schoolhouses 
whose location, architecture, furniture and surroundiugs, 
were often a disgrace to civilized humanity, there was 
little to elevate the School to its proper dignity, and make 
it a place for the children to love. Yet parents thought 
they felt a deep interest in their Schools — and doubtless 
they did, in their way. A free people could not be indif- 
ferent to the education of their children. The fault was 
less in them than in the system ; which they seemed to 
regard as susceptible of but little improvement. Had 
they appreciated what their Schools might be, even with 
all the inherent evils of the system, great improvements 
would have ensued. There was no necessity even in the 
country, for farmers to send their sons and daughters to a 
Schoolhouse built with less architectural taste than were 
their granaries, and with scarcely more regard to the de- 
cencies of life, in its appendages, than characterize the 
abodes of the lowest tribes of savages ! Some may regard 
these comparisons as too strong ; but we speak only of 
what most persons must have many, many times witnessed. 
Had Districts remedied these evils — so glaring, so ob- 
noxious, that it is strange they were not sooner seen — and 
adopted the plan of paying male Teachers forty or fifty 
dollars per month instead of twelve or fifteen, and in- 
creased the wages of female Teachers in proportion, a 
short time would have witnessed a great improvement. 
But they saw not the evil ; or seeiug it, could imagine no 
remedy. And they could hardly be expected to employ 
the talent that would command those wages in other pur- 
suits, to teach the many children to read, because a few 
wished to pursue a more advanced course. And had they 
done so, the vital evils of the single-District system 
would have remained untouched, so far as the system was 
concerned. 



PRIMARY SCHOOL SYSTEM. 319' 

FOR POPULOUS SETTLEMENTS, A BETTER WAY. 

Suppose four Districts, embracing not much more than 
a mile square each, as is the case in some of our towns, 
each with its School hovel and Teacher, and each with 
forty scholars. One has a competent Teacher to instruct 
the large scholars, and the smaller ones are neglected. 
Another has a female to teach the small children, and the 
large ones stay at home, or attend only to make difficulty. 
Now let these Districts become one, with a commodious 
Schoolhouse near the centre, and the number of scholars 
will probably be increased from one hundred and sixty, to 
two hundred. Let them be divided into three grades, and 
perhaps eighty would come into the Primary Department. 
These would be taught by two females, who at whatever 
wages might be paid them, would probably accomplish 
more than any Teachers of the other sex. The studies of 
this Department would be simple, and the Teacher's suc- 
cess would depend more upon the tact, in which females 
excel, than in the talent of more learned men. The next, 
or Intermediate Department, might include seventy more 
of the whole number, and would require one competent 
Teacher, and the payment of as high wages, perhaps, as is 
paid to both the female Teachers in the lower Department. 
The other, or High Department, would take the remaining 
fifty of the scholars, who would enter it sufficiently ad- 
vanced to engage in History, Philosophy, Book-keeping, 
Algebra, Geometry, or Astronomy. This grade will re- 
quire a Teacher of still higher attainments, and command- 
ing higher wages. He will also be the head of the other 
Departments. If the single Districts before employed a 
male Teacher in the winter and a female in the summer, 
as is usual, we have now two of each for the year — which 
is practically the same thing, and no portion of the chil- 
dren will be at any time excluded from School for the 
want of an appropriate Teacher. The wages paid may be 



320 PEIMARY SCHOOL SYSTEM. 

increased, but probably not more than §qual to tke in- 
creased number of scholars. To furnish instruction to all, 
we are no longer required to realize the figiare of the poet, 
when he talks of 

" The ocean being into tempest toss'd, 
To waft a feather, or to drown a fly ! " 

In other words, we are no longer required to employ a 
University scholar to teach a portion of our children their 
letters, or let the others go untaught. We may thus ob- 
tain a full supply of Teachers, by the simple principle of 
a " division of labor," and each will labor under the most 
advantageous circumstances. 

WHAT EVERY VILLAGE AND CITY SHOULD DO. 

From the foregoing — which is but a mere glance at the 
subject — the remedy, where circumstances will admit of 
its application, is readily suggested. Wherever the popu- 
lation is sufficiently dense to furnish within a convenient 
distance from a common centre, more scholars than can be 
properly instructed by one Teacher, the territory thus in- 
cluded should still comprise but one District, with two or 
more School rooms, where the small scholars can occupy 
one apartment, and the larger another ; each with a Teacher 
of qualifications adapted to his or her position. If the 
number of children within such bounds requires more than 
two Teachers, they should be divided into three grades. 
Where the number does not exceed four or five hundred, 
several considerations would counsel but one central build- 
ing, with rooms for the several grades ; but when the 
children exceed five hundred, it will be better to use the 
€entral house for the Higher Departments alone, and pro- 
vide for the Primary Department in as many smaller houses 
variously located, as the demand may require. The con- 
gregating of more than five hundred children of all ages 
in one building, is of doubtful policy ; and in a place of 
five thousand or more inhabitants, it is desirable that tlie 



PEIMARY SCHOOL SYSTEM. 321 

Bmall children be not exposed to the bustle, not to say the 
danger, and bad moral inflaences, of the crowded busineeg 
streets through which they ranst pass less or more, to at- 
tend the central School. These considerations Avere at 
first a serious objection in the mind-i of many, to Union 
Schools ; and it was truly an objection in large villages, if 
but one house was contemplated. 

The sm ill children will comprise not far from two fifths 
of the whole. With branch S hoolhouses, they will have 
a less distance to travel, and will be more directly under 
their parents' eye. The other three fifths of the scholars 
can meet at the central building without inconvenience, 
where they may be divided into as many grades, or sections 
of grades, as circumstances may demand. It is still but 
one School, with a common interest, a common expense, 
controlled by the same officers, and with teachers respon- 
sible to one head. 

WHAT IS BEING DONE. 

There is perhaps no subject upon which public sentiment 
has undergone a greater change within the last ten years, 
than that of Primary Schools.' Villages and cities that 
have hardly doubled in population within that time, have 
ten to fifteen times the amount of money invested in School- 
houses that they had, eight or ten years ago. It is doubt- 
ful whether, ten years since, there were ten Schoolhouses 
in all the villages of this State, that would now be pro- 
nounced so much as respectable in appearance. In this 
respect the villages were behind the country in enterprise, 
taking into account their difference in circumstances. But 
what a change ! Now almost every village of any impor- 
tance — several of them having become cities in their gov- 
ernment — has its School house or houses, to attract the 
traveller's eye with as much prominence as their churches, 
or other public buildings. 

The city of Adrian, eight years since, had not two thon- 

41 



322 PRIMARY SCHOOL SYSTEM. 

sand dollars invested in Scliool property. The value of 
lier Schoolhouses and grounds is now not far from thirty- 
five tliousand dollars. Yet tlie accomDiodations are not 
equal to the wants of li-.;:r t\vo tliousund children, and fonr 
or five thousand dollars pt.r annum it is expected will be ex- 
pended for two or three years to come. Yet no tax-payer 
doubts that this expenditure has increased the real value 
of his property more than equal with the tax he has paid. 

The city of Ann Arbor, with twelve hundred and thirty- 
nine children, has within five years, erected a Schoolhouse 
one hundred feet in length, costing, with the grounds, 
twenty-eight thousand dollars ; and her citizens are not 
satisfied with thst. 

The township of Dexter Las less than five hundred child- 
ren ; yet the village has a Schoolhouse that cost seven 
thousand dollars. This expense has been incurred for 
about two hundred and fifty children. 

The city of Monroe, vv^ith twelve hundred and forty-five 
children between the legal ages, has recently erected a 
Schoolhouse at an expense of ten thousand dollars. 

■ The village of Tecumsehhas within two years past, com- 
pleted a Schoolhouse at an expense of fifteen thousand 
dollars. The Eeport for the last year states the number 
of children between the legal ages, to be four hundred and 
&ixty-eight ; and the number attending School, four hundred 
and twenty-two. 

Seven years ago, the village of Niles, with about five 
hundred children, had one School, and employed a Teacher 
at fifteen dollars per month — or it would be as correct to 
say that a Teacher was paid that sum, and they had no 
School ; for the average number in attendance required 
bet- ten and one-half seats I The name of a School was 
kept up sufficiently to draw their portion of the Interest 
fund, and that, probably, was all that was expended. It 
seems almost incredible that a place of business enterprise 
like Niles, could sink so low in educational afi'airs. But the 



PRIMARY SCHOOL SYSTEM. 323 

Citizens of that place resolved to redeem themeelves from 
their reproach, and Niles has now a Schoolhou?e one hun- 
dred feet it length, standing upon a lot forty by sixteen 
rods, or four acres in s^ize, beautifully ornamented with 
native forest trees — the whole costing nbnni tlnrty thou- 
sand dollars ! 

The city of Ypsilanti contains nine hundred and sixty- 
four children within the legal ages. A Schoolhouse that 
cost fifteen thousand dollars was recently burned. Anoth- 
er is already erected, one hundred and twenty feet front, 
the center ninety-three, and the wings seventy feet deep 
— the whole costing forty thousand dollars. 

These are examples of the educational spirit that now 
animates the citizens in most cities and villages in the 
State. Several other places might be named, where an 
equal or similar enterprize prevails. Every new move- 
ment begets new interest, dignifies the Primary School, 
and stimulates all classes in the noble work of Universal 
Education. 

SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTEY. 

As has been remarked, the Schools in the sparsely set- 
tled sections of the State cannot avail themselves of the 
benefits of the graded system to any considerable extent. 
This is a misfortune inseparably connected with their posi- 
tion ; but that they cannot do all that is desirable, is no 
reason why they should not do the very much that is 
within their power, for very great improvement. Let 
Schoolhouse be located, erected, and furnished with taste; 
let the unsightly, inconvenient hovel with all its repulsive 
aspects and surroundings, give place to a building and ac- 
companiments which, though on a small scale, the children 
may love and honor, as to them indeed a temple of knowl- 
edge — a place where they shall delight to repair — a place 
more attractive to them than are the homes of a majority — a 
place truly of poetry and flowers — a place of both natural 



824 PKIMARY SCHOOL SYSTEM. 

and artificial beauty — a place inviting rather than repul- 
sive to the unsophisticated child, whose love of the heaii- 
tiful is pure, and one of the strongest elements of bis 
character. Then, whatever the expense, give them the 
best Teacher that can be obtained — not necessarily the 
most learned, but the one w^ith the best faculty of teach- 
ing to others what he himself knows — and all your in- 
creased expense shall be returned ten-fold in the more 
rapid development of the minds of the children you love. 
The first requisite to success in teaching, is to inspire 
an interest in the mind of the child. And can this be done 
by an arbitrary command — " be interested ?" The farmer 
can lead his horse to water — but can he make him drink? 
So you may compel a child to attend School where he oan 
evoke not one pleasant association for his mind to reet- 
upon, and command him to be interested in study. It is 
to him a prison ; he sighs to be aAvay among the flowers 
and fields teeming with beauty and song, or rolling snow- 
balls, and practicing the poetry of motion with his hand- 
Bled. What mother would send her child to learn bis 
Sabbath School lesson in a goose pasture, on the border of 
a green-coated frog pond? Yet such a course would be as 
wise as to send him to the Primary School, with such in- 
conveniences and non-attractions as are often provided. 
Give the children a Schoolhouse which they will love, and 
the number attending it, will be greatly increased, to 
lighten the burden of expense. The improvements in the 
Town Schools — the Normal School — Teachers' Associa- 
tions, and all the attendant influences, with the general 
interest in Primary School Education that has been awak- 
ened within the few past years, are fast raising up Teach- 
ers wnth a higher standard of qualification than most 
Districts in the country have formerly been able to obtaia. 
But to secure their services, higher wages must be paid 
than in former days. The race of twelve-dollars-a-month 
School Masters, it is hoped, is about to become extinct. 



PRIMARY SCHOOL SYSTEM. 225 

Yet all tho increased expense of houses and Teachers will 
be only real retrenchment, in point of true economy. It 
18 believed that such improvement might thus be made in 
tho country Schools', oven without grading, that the chil- 
dren would make greater progress in two years than they 
have formerly done in three I while their enjoyment in 
their duties would be incalculably increased. 

A PHILOSOPHICAL VIEW. 

The expense of these improvements is unv/orthy of a 
thought, if a just view of the importance of tho subject is 
taken. Shall the parent toil, and cheerfully expend large 
aum;*, to be often renewed, to clothe his child, so that hia 
person may appear well in society for a few brief years, and 
grudge an equal amount for a permanent endowment of 
his intellect, which is to exist forever? Education is very 
far from being for this life alone! If we know anything of 
the philosophy of the human soul, and its powers, Educa- 
tion does not become valueless, or annihilated, when we 
step out from this physical prison — when we shake offtheso 
chains of flesh — and go forth an enfranchised intellect, to 
the realities of a higher existence. What we possess, is lefi 
behind; but what we hnow, is a part of ourselves, insepara- 
ble from us, and must inhere in our nature throughout a 
now mysterious future State. Education is the training 
of the immortal nature ; and a subject really of no less im- 
portance while in the flesh, than it will be when the flesh 
haa returned to dust. We train dogs and horses — shall we 
educate our children with no higher view than he has who 
learns his dog to carry his basket? 

Is it not to-be apprehended that some who wish to edu- 
cate their children, have views of the subject but little 
higher than this, and are satisfied if they learn barely 
enough to pass through life respectably and successfully — 
educating them much as the showman does his monkey, 
only with reference to his ability to make money ? How 



826 PEIMART SCHOOL SYSTEM. 

■unworthy of a beiDg made '"bufc a little lower than the an- 
gels," are such views !^ There are perhaps some who 
would say — "while we are in the flesh, we must attend to 
the wants of the flesh ; Svnd when we go forth upon another 
existence, we will prepare for its circumstances as we meet 
them." Bat as well might the student in College spend 
all his time ivhile there, in furnishing his room with ex- 
travagance and pernicious luxuries, debasing his mind and 
ruining his health, and when remonstrated with, reply — 
"while I occupy this room, I must OBJoy it , when I go out 
to engage in life's responsibilities, there will be time enough 
to prepare far them !'"' 

If we oould take a true view of (he subject, we should 
perceive that our moral and intellectual necessities are pri- 
mary, and our physical wants secondary. Our moral and 
intellectual nature is the end, and material appliances are 
the means. But men often reverse this order, and make 
their immortal nature the slave of the m.ortal ; they de- 
vote all their interest and labor for that which dies, and 
are regardless only of that which will ever li^e ! 

Men live and toil mainly for their children. They seek 
to hoard up money and lands to leave for their children to 
use wiicn tbey have passed to the home for all. But how 
many see to it with proper care, that their children are 
rightly educated, and prepared to occupy and eojoy the 
inheritance which they leave, or hope to leave them? 
How many appear more anxious to leave their children 
property and possessions to lose or squander after they 
die, than, while they live, to fill their minds with moral 
and intellectual wealth, of which nothing here or hereafter, 
can rob them ! 

A Avealthy individual left at his death, a princely sum to 
endow a College. Strangers to him became the managers 

* A professedly Christian parent being onee remonstrated with for not sending his daughter 
to School, said : " 'Ctetia ain't very well, and I'm afraid if I send her to school now^ she'll 
die before she gits to he a -woman, and then I shall lose all it costs me." 



PRIMARY SCHOOL SYSTEM. 327 

of the fund, and gave the iastitution a tone according to 
their own bias, and used the money in quite a different 
manner from what he intended ; and his munificent grant 
was but little better than thrown away, as he would have 
regarded the matter, could he have returned to view the 
results. His son who inherited his vast estate, saw the 
failure, and profited by his father's error. He founded a 
College while he lived to superintend its inauguration, and 
determine its character. His money was thus used as he 
designed ; every dollar produced its intended result ; and 
he saw the benefits he had conferred upon his fellow men. 
Which was the Aviser man ? Like the latter, the wise man 
will use whatever moans are necessary for his children 
while he lives, and make the education of their minds and 
heiarts his great object ; so that if ho leaves them little or 
much else, he is sure to give them an inheritance for all 
the future of their being. 

MUTUAL EXCHANGBS. 

In many cases there might be found a partial remedy 
for the ungraded School in the rural Districts, by an ex- 
change of scholars -between the towns and the country. 
Such an exchange would be mutually beneficial. Men 
often send their children — particularly their daughters — 
away from home, when they know that their own School 
k in every respect equal to the one to which their chil- 
dren are sent. Education consists not in the knowledp'o 

O 

of books alone. The person is educated but partially, who 
has not studied the world outside of home. Such an one 
may know much, and the probability is, that he will yet be 
a narrow-minded bigot in all things. To become a full- 
grown man, he needs to study men, and learn "the ways 
of the world" outside of his own little world. The aston- 
ishing increase of travel in these days, is probably doing 
more to overcome the bigotry, and humble the self-conceit 
of the people of our land, than all other influences com- 



328 PRIMARY SCHOOL SYSTEM. 

bioed conid do, in a time when thousands did not go a 
hundred miles from home during their lives. Going abroad 
shows men that this is a great world — that possibly their 
hous^e is not the only "centre" of it — that there are thoU' 
aands of rivers larger than theirs, and thousands of men 
who after all, know more than they do — truths which per^ 
haps, they would never have learned so as fully to appre- 
ciate, Irom books. 

The child of the farmer, cut off by circumstances, from 
all save a limited intercourse with the world, needs, more 
than all others, the advantages of going away from home; 
but this is ordinari-.tlly attended with an expense that few 
are able to bear, to any extent that will produce marked 
results. The end may be gained in some measure, howev- 
er, without expense, and the lack of a high department in 
the country School bo far supplied, by sending his more 
advanced children to the town to attend a graded School, 
and receiving a child from town to board in exchange, 
which child will also be benefited in various respects. He is 
probably more ignorant of the country than thd farmer's 
child is of the town ; and he or she will obtain quite as 
much and as useful information, by associating v/ith the 
country, as the other will by his intercourse with the town. 
Both will learn that there are many more things in the 
world than they ever dreamed of under their parental 
roof. This need not interfere with the legal exclusivenesB 
of School Districts, as " a fair exchange is no robbery •** 
and it is believed that no School Board would object to a 
measure mutually so beneficial. The youth from the 
country might -thus pursue higher branches of study than 
they could in their own ungraded School, and at the same 
time have the advantage of observing the habits and cus- 
toms of other people, of acquiring that ease of manners 
which comes r.y association with strangers, and of gaining 
that seli-reliance which they can never possess while ig- 
norant of their lellowj man. If the School Board in the 



PIIIMARY SCHOOL SYSTEM. 329 

towns object that tlie excLaiige would not be equal, as 
j^robiibly tho scholars they would receive, would be older 
than those who go into the country, and require more ex- 
perienced teachers, lot them charge a trifling tuition. The 
diflerence at most, would be but slight, and by consulta- 
tions, the Boards of the respective Districts might arrange 
conditions satisfactory to all. Such an intermingling of 
families would do much to destroy the petty jealous- 
ies, envyiogs and exclusiveness of feeling that often ex- 
ists between the town and the country. The young 
would thereby extend tho circle of their acquaintance, and 
80 far increase their opportunities of meeting with the 
most suitable partner for life. Tlie change would often 
prove highly conducive to the health of the parties, and 
all concerned would feel more than, before, that all men 
are their neighbors, and realize more fully the true broth- 
erhood of mankind. The subject is suggested to the read- 
er's consideration. 

UNION SCHOOLS. 

By a "Union School" is to be understood something 
more "than a mere consolidation of two or more Districts, 
and the gathering of all the children to be taught under 
ono roof. Twenty Districts might unite, and y«t, the 
union be only united confusion and anarchy. On the other 
hand, any number of Districts may unite under the provis- 
ions of Sections 92 and 93 of the Primary School Law, and 
continue to use all the old Schoolhouse?", with no other, 
and yet realize the complete design of a Union School. It 
may be the same thing, whether they do this, or occupy 
but ODC great central building ; but in the latter case, 
they must divide into separate rooms; and it matters not 
Tfhether tho several grades are separated by several 
streets, or only by a brick Avail. The important charaO' 
teristic of a Union School is the gradation of its depart- 
meiits; and this may be done as well with separate houses 
42 



330 PEIMAEY SCHOOL SYSTEM. 

as with separate rooms. If several houses are made use 
of, the Primary Department will be in one, to whioh all 
the small children will repair. Another house will be for 
another grade, and so on ; and the children from all parts 
of the same District will meet and pass each other daily 
on their way to School. In a village of moderate size, it 
will usually be found expedient to occupy but one house; 
but experience has shown that in large towns, it is abetter 
policy to have several houses. The law under which our 
Union Schools are established, had not for its end the mere 
union of Districts for a consolidation and saving of ex- 
pense, by making education more a wholesale business; 
all this was but a means to the end ; which end was, to 
grade the School, as it could not be done with limited 
numbers. The advantages to be derived from thus grad- 
ing the School according to the studies pursued, has 
already been alluded to. 

In the establishment of our earliest Union Schools, the 
plan was adopted of erecting one house for all the scholars. 
"Where the population has but slightly increased, the single 
house generally continues to bo u^iod ; but in the rapidly 
growing towns, the one house has soon become filled, and 
the phm is being changed by the erection of branch houses 
for the Primary departments. By this division, it becomes 
ro less a Union School. They are controlled by the same 
Board, and the same Superintendent • or Principal has 
charge of all as before. 

Any single District may avail itself of all the advanta.ges 
of a Union School, if it has scholars enough to require sev- 
eral Teachers. In thnt case the t'cholars may be classified 
under separate Teachers, and the School becomes thereby 
a Graded School. But single Districts seldom contain 
scholars in sufficient numbers. to adopt tliis course; herkce 
a union of Districts as the remedy. 

The Union School proper is no more than a large graded 
Primary School, with as many grades, or departments, as 



PRIMAKY SCHOOL SYSTEM. 331 

the number of scholars and variety of studies may require, 
to furnish in the best manner, a good common education 
to its pupils, and prepare them morally and intellectually, 
for the respoDBibilities of life. 

A PEEPARATORY DEPARTMENT. 

Our State has a University, Avhich after a struggle of 
years in its early history, almost for its very existence, now 
stands upon broad and sure foundations, and is preparing 
many of our young men for a commanding influence in so- 
ciety. But in that struggle, the Branches, which were 
projected to facilitate the preparation of those who would 
wish to enter the University, expired ; and in all proba- 
bility, they will never be revived. A more than substitute 
however, has been found, by connecting with the Union 
Schools, a department with all the advantages and appli- 
ances expected in the Branches. This feature of the Pri- 
mary School, additional to the advantages it has formerly 
afforded to the young, is in harmony with its design, and 
an extension of its benefits. The extent to which the Pri- 
mary School shall go in its instruction, is decided only bj 
custom ; and it will hardly answer in this age of the Avorld, 
for Custom to declare its laws, like those of the Medes and 
Persians, unchangeable, whenever an advancing age, new 
circumstances, and new views, make a modification desira- 
ble. One of the main objects of the Union School is to 
teach successfully, higher branches than could be taught 
in the single-District School. By what rule then, shall the 
limit of these additional studies be prescribed ? Most evi- 
dently, by expediency, and regard to the greatest good of 
the greatest number. 

The State has provided a University where our young 
men may walk in the highest paths of literature. Its 
attempt to afford them facilities for reaching its classic 
halls proved a failure. Thus the State has acknowledged 
an obligation in this matter. The State cannot endow an 



332 PRIMARY SCHOOL SYSTEM. 

Academy in every county, and private Schools to supply 
the waat, are too expensive for the masses — a great portion 
of those who wish for their aid, being persons of limited 
means. It were cruel mockery for the State to proclaim a 
free Ujiiversity to its youth, and at the same time remind 
them that they can reach it only by a heavy preliminary 
expense. The Union School has established one depart^ 
ment adJitional to the highest ordinary advantages of the 
old system — why not add another, and meet this great want 
in our otherwi^^e admirable educational system, and give 
our young meu and women all the advantages of the Acad- 
emy, iu their own immediate vicinity? 

But one possible objection, it is believed, can be urged 
against this plan ; and that is not valid, because the as- 
sumption is not true in fact. That is, that such a depart- 
ment would add to the expense of the Primary School. 
This is on the supposition th.it whatever one person gains, 
some other person must lose ; but this is not always true. 
Two farmers may exchange horses, and both make a good 
bargain. Much more may this be the case, in business 
arraiigemeuts relating solely to moral and intellectual 
means. 

It is not here proposed or recommended to admit sto- 
dents to this department absolutely free, or subject only to 
their share ia the rate bills. It is probable that a moder- 
ate tuition should be charged them. They might, pursxt- 
ant to the provisions of sections 141 and 142 of the School 
Law, bo charged such tuition as the Boards shall deem 
just, and those residing within or Avithout the District be 
received on the same terms. The burden of expense in 
attendance at a High School, is not in the tuition, but in 
the payment for board, where the student is required to 
go from home. But here, where the greater number would 
board at home, a small tuition, and yet more than sufficieni 
to meet the increased expense of the School, would be a 



PRIMARY SCHOOL SYSTEM. 333. 

very small consideration with those availing themselves of 
80 great advantages. 

By these means, the number of persont* who will pursue 
the higher brandies of science, without reference to a Uni- 
versity education, will be greatly increased, and thus the 
blessings of education be more widely extended, and the 
number of competent School Teachers increased. The 
Primary School will be dignified in the minds of the young, 
and their desire for higher advancement stimulated. Thus 
it would seem to be in every way expedient and beneficial 
to all parties concerned, to establish such a department 
wherever it is called for in our Union Schools, under such 
regulations as the several District Boards may determine. 

SCHOOL BUILDINGS, AND THEIR APPENDAGES. 

The style and expense of Schoolhouses will of course 
be in conformity to the taste, ability, and enterprise of the 
citizens of the District. There are few Dibtricts in the 
town or country, where the ability of the inhabitants is 
not sufficient for the fitting up of a building and grounds, 
on a scale co extensive with the demand, and in a stjle 
equal to the taste they should cultivate, and the interest 
which they should have in the subject. Wherever the 
subject of education is properly appreciated, as much re- 
gard will be had to the style of the Schoolhouse, as there 
ia to that of the church. Our Creator could be worship- 
ped by the "great congregation" in a rude structure de- 
signed for secular use ; and our children may bow at the 
ahrine of knowledge in a log hovel ; but neither is desira- 
ble, if it can be avoided. As a man, in view of towering 
mountains, the mighty cataract, or an ocean storm, realizes 
more sensibly, the majesty and power of his Maker, so the 
child in a beautiful Schoolhouse, surrounded by verdant 
shade, and blooming flowern, will more fully realize the 
dignity of his own nature, and the desirableness of its im- 



334 PEIMAEY SCHOOL SYSTEM. 

provement, and "be more interested and stimulated in his 
conrse. 

The Schoolhoiise and all its surronndings and furnisliing, 
should be snch as at the same time to please and improve 
the taste of the pupils. Who does not know the iromense 
influence the place he is in, has upon not only the child''8' 
mind, but also upon the minds of men? The man whose 
heart is properly educated to pure and elevated thoughts, 
may resist the influences of such places as are suggestive 
of iinwortby ideas, v/hile another who perhaps, passes in 
promiscuous society for a person of ordinary refinement, 
will break out, as it were, with the most degrading and 
vulgar thoughts and language — perhaps publish his deep 
self-degradation upon the walls! A true education should 
develop not only the intellect of the child, but every good 
quality of character ; so that he may at last stand a per- 
fect man, in all his moral, intellectual, and social being. 
And to do this, the Imagination requires cultivation no 
less than the Causality and Comparison. Yet is it not 
true, that Schools have aimed too exclusively, to store the 
mind with facts, while the moral nature has been little re- 
garded, and the imagination entirely neglected, and given 
over, a prey to every influence that debases it, and through 
it, degrades the whole character! No quality of the mind 
is mora active or powerful, or exerts a greater influence 
upon character, than the imagination ; and thousands of 
good men have been led to ruin, only because their imagi- 
nation in early life, v/as left undh^ected, uncontrolled, and 
uneducated. 

The School where our children spend years of the most 
impressible portion of their life, and where their charac- 
ters are beiog formed almost as imperceptibly as the gath- 
ering of the dew upon the flower, should have attractions 
inviting to their taste, and elevating to their thoughts. 
For the same reason, the child should be kept from all 
places and scenes that tend to degrade the mind. The pa- 



PRIMARY SCHOOL SYSTEM. 335 

rent wbo permits Lis child to resort to places or scenes 
thus degrading, is as truly guilty, as he who sends his 
child to a School of crime. The surest way to ruin a 
young man, is to corrupt and debase his imagination. That 
is the traitor within the castle of the heart, that opens the 
gatjBs to the enemy. Who ever sent his child to a circus, 
and did not find that there, in a single lesson, he learned 
more vulgarity and debasement of thought, than he could 
unlearn by all counteracting influences in many weeks? 

The beautiful in nature and art will have a far better 
influence for the child's moral purity than wnll the uncome- 
ly and repulsive. The child trained to refinement of 
speech and manners, will be far less subject to the influ- 
ence of degrading thoughts, and less prone to improper or 
vile conduct, than if educated a clown in manners at home, 
and a blackguard in speech in the streets. Purity of heart 
is doubtless often found ia the lowest walks of life, and 
under the most unfavorable circumstances ; but it is in 
spite of the circumstance'^, and the purity is less elevated, 
and the virtue less ennobling than they Avould have been, 
in a more favorable position ; and there is little doubt that 
many a man might trace his moral ruin, in no small degree, 
to the circumstances of his early life, whose unpropilious 
influences awakened low thoughts, diminished self respect, 
and spoke to the mind and imagination onl^^ of degrada- 
tion and abasement. 

The soul of the child holds constant converse with the 
material world around him. His heart talks to the birds 
and flowers, and they speak back to him the language of 
joy and beauty. The world is ever discoursing to his vivid 
imagination, of beauty, purity, harmon}", love, and all that 
can awaken and strengthen high and worthy aspirations in 
his soul; or it is suggesting dark thoughts to his lower 
nature, and poisoning his imagination, which in turn poisons 
all the fountains of his moral being. As the images of ma- 
terial things are pictured upon the eye, so their influences 



336 PEIMARY SCHOOL SYSTEM. 

are constantly impressing the heart — especially of the 
young. How desirable then — how essential — that the 
School room and the School shall speak favorably to theia" 
thoughts, cultivate self respect, and whisper ever to the 
heart, of propriety of speech and conduct, and make study 
pleasant, (and thus successful,) not only for its intrinsic 
value, but for its delightful and elevating associations I 
Make all beautiful. Let the architecture speak to them, 
thoughts grand and noble. Let the furniture talk to them 
of refined manners, and social courtesy. Let trees and 
flowers join their voices in songs of gladness, hope, and 
beauty. Let the chrystal fountain rise to gurgle forth its 
admouition to activity, and let everything be fitted to unite 
in the grand chorus that shall inspire the young hearts 
with pleasant, ennobling, elevating, energizing thoughts 
and emotions. He who loves his children with a love 
worthy of their high nature, will feel that money can hardly 
be expended in a better investment. 

These considerations have of late, come to be better ap- 
preciated perhaps, in the towns than in the country. But 
there is no reason why the country Schoolhouse should not 
be inaugurated with all the taste that can be displayed in 
the towns. That the former is comparatively a small build- 
ing, is no reason why it may not be beautiful. If it is 
small, it can be adorned with the less expense. The loca- 
tion should be select, the grounds capacious, and attended 
to with all the care of a flower garden. To say the least, 
the whole should be equal in appearance, to the best house 
and grounds in the District. Attention should be given to 
the roads, in reference to the Schoolhouse, so as to make it 
as easily accessible as the nature of the case will admit. 
Who can wonder that in many places, when the children 
are "dismissed," they feel as though they were released 
from prison ! A man may be excusable for not giving his 
child a good house to live in — poverty may forbid it. But 
no such excuse will justify the use of a hovel in the midst 



PRIMARY SCHOOL SYSTEM. 337 

of a thistle field, for a School. The School house is built 
by the property in the district ; equally for the benefit of 
the poor, but not by them ; and there is perhaps, no Dis- 
trict where the aggregate means may not erect and furnish 
a good one without erabarassment. 

The Schoolhouse should also be located and constructed 
with careful reference to health. Before the introduction 
of stoves, there was little danger of scholars suffering for 
want of fresh air. The danger then, was entirely in the 
other direction. In the \^ inter there was too much air; 
and the children found it neces8ary»i.to ask permission to 
''go to the fire," quite hs often as they sought aid in^their 
studies. On the introduction of stoves, it was found ne- 
cessary, in order to make them available, to make the room 
" tight." Accordingly every crevice was'^closed, the plas- 
tering — if the hout-e could boast the dignity'of a plastered 
wall — was repaired, and the cold air shut out, and the 
other extreme reached. Instead of freezing the children, 
the tendency then was to stupify them, by their breathing 
the air over and over, poisoned both by their lungs, and 
by the heated iron of the stove. The art of warming the 
room was attained ; but how to warm it without detriment 
to health, all seemed profoundly ignorant. 

A child will make little progress in study, while uncom- 
fortably seated, while suffering with cold, or stupified by 
breathing bad air. All our efforts therefore, for the edu- 
cation of the young, will lose a great part of their power 
unless these evils are avoided, in the' construction, furnish- 
ing, and warming of our Schoolhouses. 

It is believed that the citizens of this State are in a 
measure sensible of the importance of the subject here 
discussed, and that the suggestions made, will meet the 
approbation of all who give 1 hera due consideration. Under 
the provisions of law which require the Superintendent 
of Public Instruction to " prepare and cause to be printed 
43 



S38 PRIMARY SCHOOL SYSTEM. 

witb. the Laws reliting to Primary, Schools, all necessary 
forms, regulations and instniments for conducting all pro- 
ceedings under said laws, with such instructions relative 
to the organization and government of SEiid Schools as ho 
may deem advisable," and believing the work demanded 
by the importance of the subject, and the increasing public 
interest in education, he has prepared the following plans 
for Schoolhouses, furniture, &c., with such suggestions rel- 
ative to warming, ventilation, location, and kindred con- 
siderations, as it is hoped will be of service to those who 
would adopt all true improvements, and avail themselves 
of every possible means to make the education of the 
young a leading interest in the State. 



SCHOOL A R CHIT E CIT U R E . 



In all well directed efforts of an enlightened people for 
the improvement of their Schools, the location, size, and 
construction of the Schoolhouse itself, will claim and re- 
ceive early attention These local habitations of our 
Schools are themselves important agencies in the work of 
instruction. And though silent, they often speak more 
eloquently and persuasively than the living Teacher. Too 
much attention, then, cannot be given to the pleasantness 
and healthfulness of their location ; to the comfort and 
convenience of their arrangements ; to the facilities for 
rendering the School attractive, both as relates to its in- 
ternal construction and its outward surroundings ; to the 
furniture of the house itself, to the apparatus employed 
to render the instructions of the Teacher more attractive 
and impressive ; and to the means of securing a genial 
temperature even during the severity of our winters, and 
a pure and healthful atmosphere where numbers are con- 
gregated. For no proposition can be more apparent than 
that, if there is one house in the District more pleasantly 
located, more comfortably c-onstructed. better warmed, and 
more invicing in its general appearance, and more eleva- 
ting in its influence than any other, that house should be 
the Schoolhouse. 

LOCATION OF SCHOOLHOUSES. - 

In looking at the location of Schoolhouses through the 
country at large, it cannot have escaped the attention of 
the ordinary observer, that they are usually located with 



340 SCHOOL ARCHITECTDEB, 

little reference to taste, or the health and comfort of Teach- 
er or children. They are generally on one corner of pub- 
lic roads, and sometioaes adjacent to a cooper's shop, or 
between a blacksmith's shop and a saw-mill. They are 
not nnfrequently placed upon an acute angle, where a road 
forks, and sometimes in turning that angle the travel ie 
chiefly behind the Schoolhouse, leaving it on a small tri- 
angle, bounded on all sides by public roads. 

At other times the Schoolhouse is situated on a low and 
worthless piece of ground, with a sluggish stream of water 
in its vicinity, which sometimes even passes under the 
Schoolhouse. The comfort and he.lth, even of innocent 
and loved children, are thus sacrificed to the parsimony of 
their parents. 

Scholars very generally, step from T.he Schoolhouse di- 
rectly into the highway. Indeed, Schoolhouses are fre- 
quently one-half in the highway, and the other half in the 
adjacent field, as though they were unfit for either. This 
is still the case, even in some of our principal villages, 
though many of them have, within the lai.tfow years, nobly 
redeemed themselves. 

e Schoolhouses are sometimes situated in the middle of the 
highway, a portion of the travel being on each side of them. 
When scholars are engaged in their recreations, they are 
exposed to bleak winds and the inclemency of the weather 
one portion of the year, and to the scorching rays of the 
meridian sun another portion. Moreover, their recreations 
must be conducted in the street, or they trespass upon 
their neighbors' premises. Such situations can hardly be 
expected to exert the most favorable influence upon the 
habits and character of the rising generation. 

We pursue a very difi'erent policy in locating a church, 
a court house, or a dwelling. And should we not pursue an 
equally wise and liberal policy in locating the District 
Schoolhouse? 

In this State six hundred and forty acres of land in every 



SCHOOL ARCHITECTURE. 341 

township are appropriated to tbe support of Primary 
Schools. Suppose there are eight School Districts in a 
township : This would allow eighty acres to every School 
District. It would seem that when the general govern- 
ment has appropriated eighty acres to create a fund for the 
support of Schools, that each district might set apart/our 
acres — which is but one acre in twenty — as a site for a 
Schoolhouse. 

Once more : one School District usually contains not less 
than twenty-jBve hundred acres of land. Is it asking too 
much to set apart /owr acres as a site for a Schoolhouse in 
which the minds- of the children of the District shall be cul- 
tivated, when twenty-four Jmndred and ninety-six acres are 
appropriated to clothing and feeding their bodies? 

I would respectfully suggest, and even urge the propriety 
of locating the Schoolhouse on a piece of firm ground of 
liberal dimensions, and of inclosing the same with a suita- 
ble fence. The inclosure should be set out with shade 
trees, unless provided with those of nature's own planting, 
and ornamented with shrubs and flowers. Scholars would 
then enjoy their pastime in a pleasant and healthful inclo- 
sure, where they have a right to be, protected alike from 
the scorching sun and the wintry blast. The}- need then no 
longer be hunted as trespassers upon their neighbors' pre- 
mises, as they now too frequently are. 

SIZE OP SCHOOLHOUSES CONSIDERED IN CONNECTION WITH 
THE PHILOSOPHr OP RESPIRATION. 

Some of our principal cities and villages can now boast 
as noble structures for Schoolhouses as can any of the 
■older States of the Union, as will appear from the plans and 
descriptions of those hereto appended. And the work of 
improvement, in this respect, is perhaps now going on as 
rapidly in the State of Michigan, as in any of the older 
States. But as yet, in view of what remains to be done, it 
can hardly be regarded as more than well begun. 



342 SCHOOL ARCHITECTUEE. 

Within the last fifteen years I have visited half of the 
States of the Union for the purpose of becoming acquainted 
with the actual condition of our Common Schools. I have 
therefore noticed especially the condition of Schoolhouses. 
Although there is a great variety in their dimensions, yet 
there are comparatively few Schoolhouses less than six- 
teen by eighteen feet on the ground, and fewer still, per- 
haps, larger than twenty-four by thirty feet, exclusive of 
our principal cities and villages. From a large number of 
actual measurements, not only in New York and Michigan, 
but east of the Hudson River, and west of the Great Lakes, 
I conclude that, exclusive of entry and 'closets, when they 
are furnished with these appendages, Schoolhouses are not 
usually larger than twenty by twenty-four feet on the 
ground, and seven feet in hight. They are, indeed, more 
frequently smaller than larger. Schoolhouses of these di- 
mensions have a capacity of three thousand three hundred 
and sixty cubic feet, and are usually occupied by at least 
forty-five scholars in the winter season. Not unfrequently 
sixty or seventy, and occasionally more than a hundred 
scholars occupy a room of this size. 

Now let us proceed to consider what changes are pro- 
duced upon the vital qualities of air by respiration, and 
the quantity hence, that is essential to maintain the healthy 
respiration of forty-five students three hours — the usual 
length of a single session, and half of the length of the 
two daily sessions of School ; and often there is little ven- 
tilation during the customary recess at noon. 

The quantity of air that enters the lungs at each inspi- 
ration of an ad alt, has been variously estimated from 
thirty-two to forty cubic inches. To establish more defi- 
nitely some data upon which a calculation might safely be 
based, I some j^ears ago conducted an experiment whereby 
I ascertained the medium quantity of air that entered the 
lungs of myself and four young men, was thirty-six cubic 
inches, and that respiration is repeated once in three see- 



SCHOOL AECHITECTURB. 343 

onds, or twenty times a minute. I also ascertained that 
respired air luill not support combustion. And it is a prin- 
ciple well established by science, and sustained by exper- 
iment, that air which will not support comhustion Avill not 
sustain animal life. We hence reach another and a more 
important truth, viz., that air once respired will not 

FURTHER SUSTAIN ANIMAL LIFE. 

That part of the experiment by which it was ascertained 
that respired air will not support combustion, is very sim- 
ple, and I here give it, with the hope that it may be tried 
at least in every Schoolhouse, if not in every family of the 
State. It was conducted as follows : 

I introduced a lighted taper into an inverted receiver 
(glass jar) which contained seven quarts of atmospheric 
air, and placed the mouth of the receiver into a vessel 
of water. The taper burned with its wonted brilliancy 
about a minute, and, growing dim gradually, became ex- 
tinct at the expiration of three minutes. I then filled the 
receiver with water, and inverting it, placed its mouth 
beneath the surface of the same fluid in another vessel. 
I next removed the water from the receiver by breathing 
inio it. This was done by filling the lungs with air, which, 
after being retained a short time in the chest, was exhaled 
through a siphon (a bent lead tube) into the receiver, I 
then introduced the lighted taper into the receiver of re- 
spired air, by which it was iminech'ately extinguished. Sev- 
eral persons present then received a quantity of respired 
air into their lungs, whereupon the premonitory symptoms 
of apoplexy eneued. The experiment was conducted with 
great care, and several times repeated in the presence of 
respectable members of the medical profession, a profes- 
sor of chemistry, and several literary gentlemen, to their 
entire satisfaction. 

It may be well to note the changes that are produced in 
the vital qualities of the air in respiration. The chemical 
properties of the atmosphere are attributable chiefly to 



S44 SCHOOL AECHITECTUBB. 

the presence of oxygen. Nitrogen, wliicii constitutes about 
fonr-fifths of its volume, lias been supposed to act as a 
mere diluent to the osygen. Increase the proportion of 
oxygen in the atmosphere, and the vital powers will 
speedily suffer from excess of stimulus ; the circulation 
and respiration become too rapid; and the system gener- 
ally becomes highly excited. Diminish the proportion of 
oxygen, and the circulation and respiration become too 
slow; weakness and lassitude ensue; and a sense of heavi- 
ness and uneasiness pervades the entire system. As has 
been observed, air loses during each respiration, a portion 
of its oxygen, and gains an equal quantity of carboniclacid, 
whieh is an active poison. When mixed with atmospheri© 
air in the ratio of one to four, it extinguishes animal life. 
It is this gas that is produced by burning charcoal in a 
confined portion of common air. Its effect upon the sys- 
tem is well known to every reader of our newspapers. It 
caUises dimness of sight, weakness, dullness, a difficulty of 
breathing, and ultimately apoplexy and death. 

Now a simple arithmetical computation will abundantly 
satief? any person who is acquainted with the composition 
of the atmosphere, the influence of respiration upon its 
fitness to sustain animal life, and the quantity of air that 
enters the lungs at each inspiration, that a School-room of 
the preceding dimensions contains quite too little air to 
sustain the healthy respiration of even forty-five scholars 
three hours — the usual length of each session ; and fre- 
quently the Schoolhouse is imperfectly ventilated between 
the sessions at noon, and sometimes for several days 
together. 

The reader will please note the following particulars : 
1. The quantity of air breatlied by forty-five persons in 
three hours, according to the data just given, is three 
thousand three hundred and seventy-five cubic feet. 2. 
Air once respired will not sustain animal life, 3. The 



SCHOOL ARCHITECTURE. 345 

School room was estimated to possess a capacity of three 
thousand three hundred and sixty cubic feet — fifteen feet 
less than is necessary to suatain JieaUhy respiration. 4. "Were 
forty-tive persons whose luugs possess the estimated ca- 
pacity, placed in an air-tight room of the preceding dimen- 
sions, and could they breathe pure air till it was all once 
respired, and then enter upon its second respiration, tJiey 
would all die of apoplexy before the expiration of a three 
hours' session. 

These conditions, it is admitted, cannot be fulfilled. But 
numerous instances of fearful approximation exist. We 
have no air-tight houses. But in our latitude, comfort re- 
quires that rooms which are to be occupied by children in 
the winter season, be made very close. The dimensions 
of rooms are, moreover, frequently diminished, in order 
that the warm breath, and animal heat, may lessen the 
amount of fuel necessary to preserve a comfortable tem- 
perature. 

It is true, on the other hand, that the quantity of air 
that children breathe, is somewhat less than I have esti- 
mated, but the derangement resulting from breathing im- 
pure air, in their case, is greater than in the case of adults, 
whose constitutions are matured, and who are hence less 
susceptible of icjury. It is also true in many Schools, that 
the number occupying a room of the dimensions supposed, 
is corsiderably greater than I have estimated. Moreover, 
in many instances, a great proportion of the larger scholars 
will respire the estimated quantity of air. 

And again : all the air in a room is not respired once be- 
fore a portion of it is breathed the second, or even the 
third and fourth time. The atmosphere is not suddenly 
changed from purity to impurity — from a healthful to an 
infectious state. Were it so, the change, being more per- 
ceptible, would be seen and felt too, and a remedy would 
be sought and applied. But because the change is gradu- 
al, it is not the less fearful in its consequences. In a room 
44 



346 SCHOOL AECHITECTUEE. 

occupied hj forty -five persons, the first minute, iMrty-two 
thousand four hundred cubic inches of air impart their entire 
vitality to sustain animal life, and, mingling with the atmos- 
phere of the room, proportionately deteriorate the tuhoh mass. 
Thus are abundantly sown in early life the fruitful seeds of 
disease and premature death. 

This detail shows conclusively sufficient cause" for that 
uneasy, listless state of feeling which is so prevalent in 
crowded School-rooms, It explains why children that are 
amiable at home are mischievous in School, and why those 
that are troublesome at home are frequently well-nigh un- 
controllable in School. It discloses the true cause why 
so many Teachers who are justly considered both pleasant 
and amiable in the ordinary do!j'ie3tic and social relations, 
are obnoxious in the School-room, being there habitually 
sour and fretfal. The ever-active children are disquali- 
fied for study, and engage in mischief as their only alter- 
native. 

On the other hand, the irritable Teacher, who can hard- 
ly look with complaisance upon good behavior, is disposed 
to magnify the most triuing departure from the rules of 
propriety. The scholars are continually becoming more 
ungovernable, and the Teacher more unfit to govern them. 
Week after week they become less and less attached to 
him, and he, in turn, becomes less interested in them. 

This detail explains, also, why so''many children are un- 
able to attend School at all, or become unwell so soon after 
commencing to attend, when their health is su.fficient to 
engage in other pursuits. The number of scholars answer- 
ing this description is greater than most persons are aware 
of. In one District I had occasion officially to visit a few 
years ago in the State of New York, it was acknowledged 
by competent judges to be emphatically true in the case 
of not less than twenty five scholars. Indeed, in that same 
District, the health of more than one hundred scholars was 
materially injured every year in consequence of occupymg 



SCHOOL ARCHITECTURE. 847 

an old and partially decayed house, of too narrow dimen- 
»ions, with very limited facilities for ventilation. 

The health of scores and hundreds of children in every 
part of our State, as well as in the older States generally, 
ia suifering from the same and like causes. 

From the preceding exposition we are enabled to under- 
stand why the business of Teaching has acquired, and 
jiistly too, the reputation of being unhealthy. There is, 
however, no reason why the health of either Teacher or 
pupils should sooner fail in a well regulated School, taught 
in a house properly constructed, and suitably warmed and 
ventilated, than in almost any other business. Were it 
not so, an unanswerable argument might be framed against 
the very existence of Schools ; and it might clearly > bo 
shown that it is policy, nay, duty, to close at once and for- 
ever, the four thousand Schoolhouses of Michigan, and the 
hundred thousand of the nation, and leave the rising gen- 
eration to perish iov lack of knowledge. But our condi- 
tion in this respect is not hopeless. The evil in question 
may be effectually remedied by enlarging the house, or, 
which is easier, cheaper, and more effectual, by frequent 
and thorough ventilation. It would be well, however, to 
unite the two methods. 

I once visited a School in which the magnitude of the 
evil under consideration was clearly developed. Five of 
the citizens of the District attended, me in my visit to the 
School. We arrived at the Schoolhouse about the middle 
of the afternoon. It was a close, new house, eighteen by 
twenty-four feet on the ground — two feet less in one of its 
dimensions than the house concerning which the preced- 
ing calculation is made. There were present forty-three 
scholars, the Teacher, five patrons, and myself, making fif- 
ty in all. Immediately after entering the Schoolhouse, one 
of the District officers remarked to me, " I believe our 
Schoolhouse is too tight to be healthy." I made no reply, 



348 SCHOOL AECHITECTURE. 

but secretly resolved that I wonld sacrifice my comfort for 
the remainder of the afternoon, and hazard my health, and 
my life even, to test the accuracy of the opinions I had 
entertained on this important subject. I marked the un- 
easiness and dullness of all present, and especially of the 
patrons, who had been accustomed to breathe a purer at- 
mosphere. 

School continued an hour and a half, at the close of 
which I was invited to make some remarks. I arose to do 
so, but was unable to proceed till I opened the outer door, 
and snuffed a few times the purer air without. When I had 
partially recovered my wonted vigor, I observed with de- 
light the reaovating influence of the current of air that en- 
tered the door, mingling with and gradually displacing the 
fluid poison that filled the room, and was about to do the 
work of death. It seemed as though I was standing at the 
mouth of a huge sepulcher, in which the dead were being 
restored to life. After a short pause, I proceeded with a 
few remarks, chiefly, however, on the subject of respiration 
and ventilation. The ojBScers, who had just tested their 
accuracy and bearing upon their comfort and health, re- 
solved immediately to provide for ventilation in the manner 
herein recommended. 

Before leaving the house on that occasion, I was informed 
an evening meeting had been attended there the preceding 
week, which they were obliged to dismiss before the ordi- 
nary esercises were concluded, because, as they said, "We 
all got sick, and the candles went almost out." Little did 
they realize, probably, that the light of life became just as 
nearly extinct as did the candles. Had they remained there 
a little longer, both would have gone out together, and 
there would have been reacted the memorable tragedy of 
the Blach Hole in Calcutta, into which were thrust a gar- 
rison of one hundred and forty-sis persons, one hundred 



SCHOOL ARCHITECTURE. 349 

and twenty-three of Avhom perished miserably in a few 
hours, beiog suffocated by the confined air.* 

VENTILATION OP SCHOOLHOUSES. 

The preceding disclosare manifests the importance of 
frequent and thorough ventilation. But the ordinary fa- 
cilities for ventilating School-rooms, are almost entirely 
restricted to opening a door, or raising the lower sash of 
the windows. The prevailing practice with reference to 
their ventilation, is opening and closing the door, as the 
scholars enter and pass out of the Schoolhouse, before 
School, during the recesses, and at noon. Yentiiation, as 
such, I may safely say, has been practiced only to a very 
limited extent, and in a very imperfect manner. It is 
true, the door has been occasional]}'' set open a few r^in- 
utes, and the windows have been raised, but the object 
has been, either to let the smoke pass out of the room, or 
to cool it when it has become too luarm, not to ventilate 
IT. Ventilation, by opening a door or raising the windows, 
is imperfect, and frequently injurious. A more effectual 
and safer method of ventilation, where special arrange- 
ments have not been provided for the purpose, is to lower 
the upper sash of the windows ; or, in very cold or stormy 
weather, to open a ventilator in the ceiling, and allow the 
vitiated air to escape into the attic. In this case, there 
should be a free communication between the attic and the 
outer air, by means of a lattice window, or otherwise. 

But any such arrangements for ventilation are at best 
very ill-adapted to the purpose. The subject will there- 
fore be again referred to in connection with warming ; for 
the two should be considered together, and especially as a 
Schoolhouse may be best ventilated when best warmed, 
and best warmed when best ventilated. 

* For a more extended <.l scuss'oa of this whole subject, see the Author's work on " The 
Meaua and Ends of Universal Education." 



350 SCHOOL ARCHITECTURE. 

SIZE AND CONSTRUCTION OP SCHOOLHOUSES. 

In determiniDg the size of Schoolhouses, due regard 
should be had to several particulars. There should be a 
separate entry or lobby for each sex, which should be fur- 
nished with a scraper, mat, hooks and shelves — both are 
needed — sink, basin, and towels. A separate entry thus 
furnished will prevent much confusion, rudeness, aud im- 
propriety, and promote the health, refinement, and orderly 
habits of the children. 

The principal room of the Schoolhouse — and each such 
room where there are several departments — should be 
large enough to allow each occupant a suitable quantity of 
pure air, which should be at least twice the common 
amount, or not less than one hundred and fifty cubic feet. 
But a large space for each pupil is less important where 
thorough provision is made for ventilation. There should 
also be one or more rooms for recitation, apparatus, library, 
etc., according to the size of the School and the number of 
scholars to be accommodated. 

Every School room should be so constructed that each 
scholar may pass to and from his seat without disturbing 
or in the least incommoding any other one. A house thus 
arranged will enable the Teacher to pass at all times to 
any part of the room, and to approach each scholar in his 
seat whenever it may be desirable to do so for purposes of 
instruction or otherwise. Such an arrangement is of the 
utmost importance ; and without the fulfillment of this 
condition, no Teacher can most advantageously superior 
tend the afikirs of a whole School, and especially of a large 
one. 

In determining the details of construction and arrange- 
ment for a Schoolhouse, due regard must be had to the 
varying circumstances of country and city, as well as to 
the number of scholars that may be expected in attend- 
ance, the number of Teacher^s to be employed, and the dif>- 



SCHOOL ARCHITECTURE. 351 

ferent grades of Schools that may be establislied in a 
commuuity. 

COUNTRY SCHOOLHOUSES. 

In coTiiitry Districts, as they have long been situated, 
and still generally are, aside from separate entries and 
clothes-rooms for the sexes, there will only be needed one 
principal School-room, with a smaller room for recitations, 
apparatus, and other purposes. In arranging and fitting 
"up this room, reference must bo had to the requirements 
of the District ; for this one room will be occupied by chil- 
dren of all ages, for summer and winter Schools, and often 
for the secular, but more especially for the religious meet- 
ings of the neighborhood. But in its construction primary 
reference should be had to the convenience of the scholars 
in School ; for it will be used by them more, ten to one, 
than for all other purposes. Every child, then, even the 
youngest in School, should be furnished w^ith a seat and 
desk, at which he may sit W'ltli ease and comfort. The 
seats should each be furnished with a back, and their 
bight should be such as to allow the children to rest their 
feet comfortably upon the floor. This is as necessary to 
the heallh of children as to their comfort. 

From considerations heretofore presented, it is believed 
no one can fail to see the advantages that would result to 
a densely settled community from a union of two or more 
Districts for the purpose of maintaining in each a School 
for the youuger children, and of establishing in the central 
part of the associated Distiict, a School of a higher grade 
for the older and more advanced children. If four Dis- 
tricts should be united in this way, they 
might erect a central house, C, for the 
larger and more advanced scholars, and 
four smaller ones, p P P P, for the younger 
children. The central School might be 
taught by a male teacher, with female 



C 



assistants, if needed; but the Primary Schools, with this 



352 SCHOOL ARCHITECTUEE. 

arrangement, could be more economically and successfully 
instructed by females. Legal provisions are already mad© 
in tliis State for suck a consolidation of Districts. This 
would invite a more perfect classification of scholars, and 
would allow the central School house to be so constructed, 
and to have the seats and desks of such a hight as to be 
convenient for the larger grade of scholars, and still be 
comfortable for other purposes for which it might occa- 
sionally be necessary to occupy it. Such an arrangement, 
while it would obviate the almost insuperable difficulties 
which stand in the wa,y of proper classification and the 
thorough government and instruction of Schools, would at 
the same time offer greater inducements to the erection of 
more comfortable and attractive Schoolhouses. 

SGHOOLHOUSES IN CITIES AND VILLAGES. 

The plan suggested in the last paragraph may be per- 
fected in cities and villages. For this purpose, where nei- 
ther the distance nor the number of scholars is too great, 
some prefer to have all the Schools of a District or corpo- 
ration conducted under the same roof. However this may 
be, as there will be other places for public meetings of va- 
rious kinds, each room should be appropriated to a partic- 
ular department, and be fitted up exclusively for the 
accommodation of the grade of scholars that are to occu- 
py it. 

In cities, and even in villages with a population of three 
or four thousand, it is desirable to establish at least three 
grades of Schools, viz : the Primary, for the smallest chil- 
dren ; the Intermediate department, for those more ad- 
vanced ; and a Central High School, for scholars that have 
passed through the Primary and Intermediate Schools. 
While this arrangement is favorable to the better classifi- 
cation of the scholars of a village or city, and holds out an 
inducement to those of the lowest and middle grade of 
Schools to perfect themselves in the various branches of 



SCHOOL AECHITECTURE. 353 

atndj that are pursued in them respectively, as the condi- 
tion upon which they are permitted to enter a higher grade, 
it also allows a more perfect adjustment of the seats and 
desks to the various requirements of the children in their 
passage through the grades of Schools. 

The extent to which the gradation of Schools may ad- 
vantageously be carried, is well illustrated in the public 
Schools of the city of New York, two hundred in Humber, 
in which six hundred Teachers are employed, and in which 
one hundred thousand children annually receive instruc- 
tion. The Free Academy, which stands at the head of the 
public School system of New York, and which is a School 
of the highest grade, was established by the Board of Ed- 
ucation in 1847. The expense of the building, without 
the furniture, was $16,000, and the annual expense for the 
salaries of professors and teachers is about $10,000. 

No students are admitted to the Free Academy who 
have not attended the Pablic Schools of the city for at 
least one full year, nor these until they have undergone a 
thorough examination and proved theiiiaelves worthy. 
Its influence, hence, is not confined to the one hiindi'ed or 
one hundred and fifty scholars^ who may graduate from it 
annually, but reaches and stimulates the six hundred 
Teachers of the city, and the hundred thoasand children 
"whom they instruoi, and thus elevates the Common Schools 
of the city, and places them much more favorably before 
the public than they otherwise could be. , 

Smaller cities, and especially villages Vvith a population 
of but a few thousand, can not, of course, maintain so ex- 
tended a system of public Schools ; but they can accom- 
plish essentially the same, thing more perfectly, though on 
'a smaller scale. For the benefit of Districts in the coun- 
try and in villages, a fevT Plan? of Schoolhonses will be 
here inserted. 



45 



364 



SCHOOL ARCHITECTURE. 



Plan No, 1. — Sciiooiliouse for fifty- six Scliolars. 



ssB-aaj'i^iK'-.E.js. i^i. a.i3S3a 




Sis*, 30 by 40 feet . Scale , 10 feet to the iacli. 

D D, doors. B B, entries Uglited over outer doors, one 
for the boys and the other for the girls. E, L, room for 
recitation, libra.ry, and apparatus, which may be entered 
by a single door from the Teacher's platfarm, as repre- 
sented in the pliin, or by two, as in Plan No. o, p. 457. 
S S, stoves with air-tubes beneath. K K, aisles four feet 
wide — the remaining aisles are each two feet wiSe. c v, 
chimneys and veritilators. I I, recitation seats^ B B, 
black-board, made by giving the wall a colored hard finish. 
G H, seats and desks, four feet in. length, constructed as 
represented on the 357th page. Other styles of seats and 
desks are given on pages 387 to 402 of this volume. This 
plan is from the author's work on Universal Education. 



KCUOOL AUCiilTiiCTUllK. 

mau No. 2, Figin,— Front KI<.TMt;<;n 



35b 




•^Figures 1, 2 and 3, of Plan No 2, are on a scale of 20 feet to the inch. 
Plan Ko. 2, Hg. 2. 



F o \ a 



SuL 



■ « 

D 3 



D 



B 




D f 



A, School-room for Primary classes, both sexes. B B, 
School-room3 for second grade, sexes divided. C, Recita- 
tation-room, conimon for both 8exe?i, and repository for 
books and instruments. D D D D, Clothes-rooms. E B, 
Wood-closets. F F, Entrance lobbies. G G G, Teachers' 
platforms. A. side elevation is givea on the next page. 



358 SCHOOL AKCHITii.CTUBS. 




The three Figures of Pjan No. 2, are each on a scale of 20 feet to the iuch. 

The drawings of tlie three figures represented in Plan 
No. 2, were furnished by Messrs. Jordan & Anderson, of 
Detroit. This plan, it will be seen, has separate entrances, 
on opposite sides of the building, for boys and girls, who 
Meet in the Primary Department, represented at A on the 
preceding page. Separate entrances for the sexes are 
also provided on the other front, for students attending 
the Second Grade, in the rooms represented at B B. 

This plan, it will be seen, provides separate entrances 
for the boys and girls of each of the two departments. 
As the SchooJhouse has two fronts, it might appropriately 
occupy a square, or be located between two streets, in a 
village or city, which would readily admit of separate play 
yards for the boys a.nd girls of each of the two depart- 
ments. 

Plan No. 3, Figs, 1 and 2, on the two following pages, is 
from the author's work on Education. It is adapted to 
the division of a School into three Departments — for Pri- 
mary, Intermediate and High Schools. The rooms of this 
plan may be furnished with a simple style of seats and 
desks, as represented at 'Fig. 1, or by the improved furni- 
ture represented on pages 387 to 402 of this volume. 



SCHOOL ARCHITECTURE. 
Plan No. o, Fig. 1.— First Story. 



357 




Size, 36 by 54 feet 



Seals, 12 feet to the incli. 



A, entrance for boys to the Hig:li School. C, entrance 
for girls to High School. P, entrance for boys to the Pri- 
mary and Intermediate Dep .rtaieot?. Q, entrance for 
girls to the same. D D, doors. W W, windows. T T, 
Teacher's platform aad de^k. G H, desk atd seat for two 
scholars, a section of wh'ch i^ represented at ah. II, 
recitation seats. B B, blackboards. S S, stoves, with air- 
tubes beneath, c v, chiinne}'^ and venti ator. R, room for 
recitation, library, ppar.itns, and other purposes. 

For an exp anation of the advantages to ba derived from 
the use of air-tubes, see page 374th of this volume. 



SCHOOL AECillTECTURE. 



Plan No. 3 Fig 2.— Second Story, 




A, entrance for the boys, tiirongh tbe lobby below. 0, 
©atrance for tbe girls. D D, doors. W W, windows. S 
Sj stoves, c V, Ciiimney and ventilator. T, Teacher's 
platform. R, recitation-room. I I, recitation seats in 
principal room. B B, blackboard. 

Th© nss of the tubes represented by dotted lines be- 
Bteatli the Stoves, is explain'xl on the 374th page of this 
■Volume. A description of on admirable style of ventila- 
ting School Stove, with an esplanation of the advantages 
ta be derived from its use, will be found on the 375th page. 

For the different styles of blackboard, see page 418. 



SCHOOL ARCHITECTURE. 

Plan N«. 4, Pig. 1.— Front Elevation. 



359 




Frout EleT.atioQ of the Monroe Union SoLoolhouse. 

Figure 1 represents the Front Elevation of the Union 
Schoolhouse, recently erected in the city of Monroe. A 
side elevation of this Schoolhouse is given on the next 
page. The ground plans of the several stories of this 
building, are represented on the 361st and 362d pages. 

This Schoolhouse has been erected by W^ H. Beaman, 
Esq., under contract, for something less than ten thousand 
dollars. He has kindly furnished the plans from which these 
engravings have been prepared. 

The plans, originated and matured by John L. Stevens, 
Bsq., of Monroe, have been well carried out by the con- 
tractor. The Schoolhouse, completed, is a credit to the 
educational enterprise of the city, and appears in striking 
contrast with its condition fifteen jears ago, when the wri- 
ter first entered upon the discharge of the duties of Su- 



360 



SCHOOL ARCHITECTURE. 

Plan No. ij Fig. 2.— Side EleTation. 




Side Elevation of the Monroe Union SchooUionse. 

perintendeut. At that time there was not a public Scliool 
building of any kind in the city. Now there are three or 
four other respectable Schoolhouses in the city beside this. 

A like improvement has been made within this time, in 
the Schoolhouses of Ann Arbor, Tecumseh, Jackson and 
Niles, and in those of other cities and villages of the State. 

On pnges 3G3 to 365 are plans of the Bishop Union 
Schoolbouse of Detroit, which is the last Schoolhonse erec- 
ted, and the best building occupied by the public Schools 
of that city. This Schoolhouse has been named in honor 
of the late President of the Board of Education of that 
city, as was tho Barstow Schoolhouse, erected a few years 
ago, in honor of the late, lamented President of the Board. 



SCHOOL ARCniTECTURE. 
Plan No. 4, Fig. 3. — ^Basement. 



301 




A A— Halls ; B B— Fuinaces. 

Plan No. 4, Fig. 4.— FirBt Story, 




A A — ITalLs; BB — Class-rooms ; C C — Recitatioa-rocms; 
D D — Clothes-rooms. 
46 



362 



SCHOOL AKCHITECTURE. 

Plan No. 4, Fig. 6.— Seoond Story. 




• ■-A A — Hfilis ; B B — Cla?;S-ro(*ms ; C C — Recitation-rooms; 
D D— Clct: ?«-rooins. 

Plan Ko. 4. Fig. «.— Third Story. 




A A— Halls ; C — Kecitation-rooms : D D-^Olotlies- 
rooms. 



I 



SCHOOL ARCHITECTUBE 



363 



Plan No. 5, Fig 1 —Front Elevaiii.n, 




The several Figures of Plan No. 5, are on a scalo of 30 
feet to the inch. 



^Plaa No. 5j Fig^ 2v— Basement. 




A /V— Halls; B B— Clai?s-rooms : C C— Fuel-rooms. 



364 



m 



SCHOOL ARCHITECTURE, 

Plan No 5, Fig. 3 —First Story. 







^ 


— L 








f 


ci 


B 




B r 


1 






i 


^ 1 




A 




1 




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> f 




c 


J 


B 




B , 1 




o 


J 




•^tSSisaSi 




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,1 








tf 


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A A— Halls; B B B B— Primary-rooms ; C C C C - 
Olotlies-rooms. 

Plan No. 5, Fig. 4 — SecoiJ Sto>y. 




A A — Halld ; B — Class-room ; D D — SepitationroomB : 
C O^-Clothes rooms ; E — Teachers' Platform. 



SCHOOL ARCHITECTURE. 

Hm No, 5, Kig.^O.— Tliir.l Wo-y. 



366 




S-cale of 30 feet f o an inch. 



A A, Halls. B, Class-room. D D D D, Hecitatiop-rooms. 
C C, Clothes-rooms. B, Teachers' platform. 

Drawings of the Plans of the Bishop Union School-' 
house, from which these engraviugs have been prepared, 
were furnished me bv Messrs. Jordaii & Anderson, of De- 
jtroit, who originated, matured and carried out the plans, 
as they likewise did those of the Ypsilanti Union School- 
house. 

The Front Elevation of the Ypsilanti Union Schoolhouse 
appears as a Frontispiece to this volume. The Ground 
Plans of the building are given on pngen 366 and 367. 

A Front Elevation of Hillsdale College has bteu fur- 
nished by the Officers of that Institution. This noble 
structure is represented at the 368 ih page of this volume. 



r 



UNION PUBUC SCHOOL, YPSILANTI, MICHIGAN. 



Fig. 2 Plan of Basemeot'. 




A A— Halls. 
BBBB— Fiiraacea. 
C — Janitor's Room. 



Pig. 3. — Plan op Pihst StorTo 






^ i 




T 


1 




J L 


J 



A A— Halls. 

B — Chapel, or Hall for general exercises. 

COCC — Primary Rooms. 

DD— Clothes Rooms. 



Scale 40 ft. to 1 inch. 



UNION PUBLIC SGHOOI-, YPSILANTI, MICHIGAN. 



Fig. 4 Second Story Plan. 




AAAA— Hal>. 

B B B — Class Uoonu*. 

CCC — Recitation Room:'. 

D — Library. 

E — Apparatus Room. 

P — CiotUca Kooma 

Fifr. 4.— Thikd SxCKr Plam. 




Scale 40 ft. to 1 ioch. 



AAAA— Halls. 
RBBB— Cla.ss Rooms, 
CCC — Recitation Rooms. 
DD— Tutors' Rooms. 
EE— Clothes Rooms. 



SCHOOL ARCHITECTURE. 








'ill: > 

p 



4 






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\^'y^ 



SCHOOL FURNITURE. 



The improvements in School Furniture are all of recent 
date. But tasteful and commodious furniture, adapted to 
the comfort and wants of children, attractive in its appear- 
ance, and elevating in its influence, is even more important 
in our Schoolhouses, which are to be occupied by children 
during the most susceptible period of their lives, than is 
the furniture in our Dwelling Houses and Churches. The 
truth of this statement seems but recently to have gained 
a lodgment in the public mind. The house of Mr. Ross, 
the pioneer in this department in the country, which was 
established in 1838, is still manufacturing and sending out 
improved School Furniture from the city of Boston. More 
recently, similar establishments have been opened in New 
York, Buffalo, and other cities. 

The cuts which I am enabled here to present, have been 
furnished me by establishments in the threfe cities just 
named, and may be regarded as representing specimens of 
their work. Nos. 1 to 6 are from the house of W. Chase 
<& Son, 198 Seventh Street, Buffalo. Nos. 7 to 17 are from 
the house of Nathaniel Johnson, 490 Hudson Street, New 
York. Nos. 18 to 29 are from the house of Joseph L. Ross, 
corner of Hawkins and Ives Streets, Boston, with branch 
houses, 413 Broadway, New York, and 191 Lake Street, 
Chicago, where the Messrs. Chase have also a branch. 

A simple style of Seats and Desks, entirely of wood, is 
represented in Plan No. 3 of Schoolhouses. The styles 
of furniture here given are f-o constructed as to admit of 
being taken apart and snugly p icked for transportation: 



SCHOOL FUENITnilB. 




No. 1. — Chase's Foitable lute u^ ji^ 



_U' De-V and Chair. 



Two sizes of this style of Desk are mauufactured;, wi&i 
the liiglit of the side next tLe scholar, 22 i and 24 inches. 
Primary School Desks 'of the same rlesign, and of varying 
sizes, are also manufactured. 




No. 2. — Chase's Portable Intermediate Double Desk. 

Two sizes of the double Desk are also manufactur^ii, 
with, the hight of the side next the scholar the ga,me as 
No. 1. Primary ScliO d Desks of the same design, and 
of varied sizes^ are also manufactured. 

These Desks have open >=;.•/'■ '.;eneath the top to re- 
ceive books and oapers. Tho Ci-a-rs have iron backs. 



SCHOOL FUIiKlTUEE. 



389 




Xo. S. — Cb««e"s Portable (jiarnmai Desk, 



Three sizes of this Desk are manufactured, 24J, 26 and 
274 inches high. This arrangement gives each pupil the 
benefit of a single Desk, as does No, 1. 




No. i. — Cliase's High Scl;ocI Doable Desk and Cbaira. 

Three sizes, are manufactured, 24, 25,i and 27 inches high. 
Each cover opens a separate apartment in the desk de- 
signed for the exclusive use of one pupil. This arrange- 
ment, though less commodious than single seats, allows a 
separate apartment for each pupil's books. 

The nev7 Union Schoolhouse at Kalamazoo, I am advised, 
is furnished with this style of desks and seats. 



SCHOOL FURNITURE. 




, No. 5.— Chasa's Teachers' Desk -with Four Drawers, and Ciofh Top. 

A good and convenient Desk is of hardly less importance 
to the Teacher than is a good boarding place. Both, in- 
deed, are essential to his comfort and highest success. 

The style of Desk here represented gives the ^Teacher 
the benefit of drawer room, which is very important, and 
while it adds greatly to his convenience, it may often], be 
made to protect valuable books and papers belonging to 
the District. 




No. 6. — Chase's Teachers' Tesk ■with Eight Drawers. 

This style of Desk affords an ir.creased amount of drawer 
room, which will be found convenient where there are not 
cupboards or closets connected with the Schoolroom. 

Should greater hight be reqiaired, as in case of standing 
to read, a portable Desk like that represented by No. 23, 
may be used on either of these Desks. 



SCHOOL FURNITURE. 



391 





Vo. 7.— New York Primary School D««k and Chairs, 
12 by 36 inclies. 



Vo. S.— Ink Wen 




No. 9. — Single Grammar Desk and Chair for Public Schools. Desk 15 by 24 inehes, 

This Desk has an Ink-well like that represented at No. 
8, furnished with a cover, and inserted near the back, at 
the right hand. The Ink is thus more secure than in 
movable inkstands. These Ink-wells are so arranged as 
to be taken out, cleaned and refitted as circumstances shall 
require. Their advantages are hence manifest. 



392 



SCHOOL FURNITURE. 




Ko. 10. — New York Public School Desk and Chairs, 15 by 42 mches. 

TJiere is a shelf under the Desk, for the accommodation 
of books and papers, with an Ink-well for both scholars 
occupying the Desk. 




No. 11.— Double Desk with Falls and Chairs, 10 by 42 .'^nd 20 by 4^' inch?'. 

This arrangement allows a separate space for the books 
and papers of each pupil, while both use a common Ink- 
well. These Chairs, like those represented in Nos. 9 and 
10, are furnished with a strong back brace, which adds to 
their strength, though not to beauty. 



SCHOOL FURNITURE. 



393 




The above plan represents a Schoal-room 32 by 35 feet, 
with double Desk?t, 15 by 42 inches; outside aisles 3 feet, 
and interniediate aisles 1 foot 3 inches wide. A room of 
this size will seat eighty scholars, two at a Desk. It gives 
each pupil a seat adjacent to an aisle, with a free passage 
around the outside of the room. 



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N'o. 13. 

The above plan represents a School-room 32 by 35 feet, 
with single Desks 15 by 24 inches : outside aisle 3 feet, 
and insidei.aisles 1 foot inches wide. This arrangement 
acommodates fifty-six scholars with single Desks. But this 
manner of seating is preferable to the preceding, where 
■&ere is sufficient room to admit of it. 
50 



394 



SCHOOL FURNITURE. 




No. 14. — Uslier's Desk, with 2 Drawers, 24 by 42 inches. 

This style of Desk is arranged for an Assistant Teaclier, 
and might answer a good purpose for the Principal of a 
small School. It would certainly be much better than a 
table without drawers. 




No. 15. — Teacher's Desk, with 4 Drawers, 24 by 60 inches. 

Bach of these principal Desks has a small portable Desk 
placed upon it, or made in connection with it, which gives 
an inclined surface for writing, which some prefer. The 
tops of these Desks it will be seen are hung with hinges, 
so as to admit of being opened and shut. When portable, 
they can be removed when the desk is sufficiently high for 
the occupant \vithout them, and when a level surface is 
preferred. 



SCHOOL FURNITURE. 



395 




No. 16. — Teacher's Desk, with 9 Drawers and l«Tel Top, 24 by 60 inches. 

This Desk has a broad and deep drawer at the top, wliich 
will be convenient for keeping Outline Maps, and large 
paipers which should not be rolled or folded. 




Xo. 17. — Excekior I^die>' College Desk. 

This Desk is so arranged as to admit of its being shut 
up, when not in use, like a piano. It is represented as 
open, exhibiting the interior construction. This arrange- 
ment, it will be seen, has its advantages, and especially 
when it is desirable to leave papers in security, when they 
are soon to be consulted again. 



396 



SCHOOL FUENlTaRE. 




No. IS. — Ross' Union (Portable) Primary School Siagle Desk and Chair. 




No. 19,— Ross' Union (Portable) Primary Scliool Double Desk and Chairs. 

Nos. 18 and 19 represent Primary Scliool Chairs and 
Desks. Of these, three sizes are manufactured, the Chairs 
being 10/11 r.nd 12 inches in hight, and the front of the 
DesliSAbeing 20, 21 and 22 inches in hight, respectively. 
These sizes are- adapted to the comfort of the smallest 
children fin Primary Schools. No. 18, for one child, is 
eighteen inches long ; and No. 19, for two children, is three 
feet long. 

Children during their earliest years in School, require a 
eomfortable seat, and a good desk, as much as at any later 
time"? in their School course. Their otherwise idle hours 
may be pleasantly occupied in elementary lessons in spell- 
ing, writing, drawing, and composition. Composition will 
thus become as easy and as pleasant to them as conversation. 

These Desks and Chairs are made so as to be taken apart 
and packed in a small space for transportation. 



SCHOOL FURNITURE. 




No. 20. — Ross' Union (Portable) Grammar School Single Desk and Chair. 




No. 21. — KoBs' Union (Portable) Grammar School Double Desks and Chairs. 

The Chairs in this grade of furniture vary from 13 to 
16 inches in hight. The smallest are adapted to children 
from 8 to 10 years of age, while the largest will accommo- 
date pupils from 16 to 18 years of age. 

The single Desks are two feet long, while the double 
ones are three feet and ten inches in length. 

The Desks, in front, range from 23 to 28 inches in 
hight ; and are thus adapted to the sizes of the children 
for whose occupancy they are intended. 



39^ 



SCHOOL FURNITURE 



The Well at th e left is open 
for use, and the one at the 
right is closed . Both ar.-. on 
the same plane with the lop 
of the Desk, and are- heii*e 
not subject to be overturned . 




.dii5^--^^ 





N'o. 22, — Ross' Improved iLetallic Ink well and 
cover combined, lined with Glass, designed for 
Public and Private Schools, Seminaries, Acade- 
mies, &c. 

This Desk may be placed npon 
a horizontal table, when more 
hight is needed, or an inclined 
surface is desired ; and it may 

be removed when not required no- 23.— ross' Portawe Desk, with raotii 

o Top. 

tor use. 

The prices of these several grades and styles of School 
Furniture are not here given, for they may differ from vari- 
ous causes. Specimens only of the varieties that are 
manufactured are here represented. On page 387. I have 
given the names and address of the Houses that have 
kindly furnished the facilities for these illustrations, and 
stated which have been furnished by them respectively. 

School officers and. others desirine: any of these styles of 
furniture, by opening a correspoorleuce -^vith the Houses 
manufacturing them, will be furnished with prices, and 
more minute descriptions than can here be given. 

If information is desired of any particular style of School 
Furniture here given, by observing if^s No., and referring 
to the 387th page, the reader will see the address of the 
Manufacturers, from whom the desired information can be 
obtained ; for copies of this volume will be furnished to 
each of the Houses herein referred to. 



SCHOOL FURNITURE. 



399 




No. 24 — Koris' BusloQ Public .School IVacbers' Desk, with Two Drawers. 

The Desk here lepresented is of !*iuiple C"U8truction, but 
will be found very convenient, and may souietimes be made 
to answer all the purposes of h more expensive one. 

Where articles ot" the kinds here described cannot well 
be procured from a regular manuiacturer, those of similar 
construction may be procured near home, though not al- 
ways of so good a quality, or at so advantageous rates. 




No. 25. — Ross' Teachera' De3k, witli Three Drawers ami T;ib'e Top. 

iiilThis style of Teacher's Desk has drawer.^ at the right of 
the Teacher, where thev are most conveniently reached. 
The greater part of the suiface of the Table is also at the 
Teacher's right, when sitting to it. This may^ be used with 
or without the small portable Desk represented by No. 23. 



400 



SCHOOL FURNITUEE. 





No. 26, — Ross' Teachers" Desk, with Five Drawers and Top Desk„ 

This Desk affords good facilities for writing in the mid- 
die, with spaces for books of reference at the right and 
left. The larger central drawer will also accommodate 
maps, large sheets of drawing-paper, and articles that 
should neither be broken nor rolled. 





No. 27. — Boss' Teachers' Desk, wuh Njeu 1.'i,;,\ii'j; 



ijlc Tap. 



The preceding cuts and illustrations represent the prin- 
cipal styles of improved School- re om Furniture; and the 
reader's attention .has beeji directed to establishments de- 
yoted esclusively to manufacturing and furnishing the 
same. These manufacturing Hoose:^ have "frequent orders 
for School Furniture, not only fi'om our Western cities, but 
from various parts of the Western States, and from both 
sides of the Mississippi. 



SCHOOL FURNITURE. 



401 




Xo. 28. — Ross' laiprOTffil D;awing I)e>t, supported o« 
Stanchions. P»tt«rn C. 



No. 29. — Roas' Improyed DravriBg 
Desk. Pattern D. 



I conclude these illustratioQa of improved School Fur- 
niture, bj. inviting the ^^ reader's attention to two styles of 
Drawing Desk. And I am^glad to know that the subject 
of Drawing is attracting, and deservedly too, an increased 
share of public attention. Too much attention can hardly 
be given to it, unless to the exclusion of other and equally 
fundamental branches ; nor can attention be directed to it 
at too early a period of the child's attendance upon School. 

" Drawing — whether of maps, the shape of objects, or 
of landscapes — is admirably adapted to discipline the sense 
of sight. Childreij should be encouraged carefully to sur- 
vey and accurately to describe the prominent points of a 
landscape, both in nature and in picture. Let them point 
out the elevations and depressions ; the mowing, the pas- 
ture, the wood, and the .tillage land ; the trees, the houses, 
and the streams. Listen to their accounts of their plays, 
walks, and journeys, and of any events of w^hich they have 
been witnesses. In these and all other exercises of the 
sense of sight, children should be encouraged to be strictly 
accurate ; -and whenever it is practicable, the judgment 
51 



402 SCHOOL FUENITUHE. 

they pronounce, and the descriptions they give, should, if 
erroneous, be corrected by the truth. Children can not 
fail to ^e interested in such exercises ; and even where 
they have been careless and inaccurate observers, they 
will soon become more watchful and exact. 

" It is by the benign influence of education only, that 
the senses can be improved. And still their culture has 
been entirely neglected by perhaps the majority of pa- 
rents and Teachers, who in other respects have manifested 
a commendable degree of interest in this subject. That 
by judicious culture the senses may be educated to activ- 
ity and accuracy, and be made to send larger and purer 
streams of knowledge to the soul, has been unanswerably 
proved by an accumulation of unquestionble testimony. 
Most persons, however, allow the senses to remain unedu- 
cated, except as they may be cultivated by fortuitous cir- 
cumstances. Eyes have they, but they see not : ears have 
they, but they hear not ; neither do they understand. It 
is not impossible, nor perhaps improbable, that he who 
has these two senses properly cultivated will derive more 
unalloyed pleasure in spending a brief hour in gazing upon 
a beautiful landscape, in examining for the same length of 
time a simple flower, or in listening to the sweet melody 
of the linnet as it warbles its song of praise, than those 
who have neglected the cultivation of the senses experi- 
ence during their whole YivesJ^-'—BIayheiuyn Education, 
pp. 191 and 192. 



SCHOOL APPARATUS. 



A gentleman of large experience, and of close observa- 
tion, many years ago remarked at a convention of County 
Superintendents of Common Schools, in the State of New 
York — It is singular that children learn so many things out of 
School, and so few things, in School. The remark impressed 
me, as I doubt not it did other Superintendents present ; 
and twenty-five years of experience as a Teacher and a 
School Officer, have convinced me'that it is no less singular 
than tr^le. 

It then becomes us to inquire why this is so. If I mis- 
take not, the reason consists in the fact that a much more 
natural method of instruction has commonly been pursued 
out of School, thaia has hitherto been generally practiced 
in School. In School, until within a few years, — and in too 
many Schools it is still true, — children say their A, B, C'a 
three times a day, but do not learn them in months. Out 
of School they see objects, become familiar with their uses, 
and learn their names. In School, many a child has said 
his A, B, C's tiventy-six times without learniDg one of them ; 
while out of School, the same children may have each 
learned the names and uses of twenty-six things the first 
time they have seen them. 

In this life, the senses constitute the great medium of 
communicating knowledge to the human mind; and espe- 
cially is this true of sight and hearing. While, then, the 
skillful parent or teacher addresses the minds of his chil* 
dren through the sense oiheariruj, he will greatly increase 
the interest of his young learners by addressing, also, their 



404 



SCHOOL APPARATUS. 



sense oi^ sight, tbrougli wliicli the strongest impression can 
be made upon tlie mind.. Especiallj is this important 
during the first year>s of a child's instruction, whether at 
home or in ScJwolJ' 

Mr. F. C. Brownell, Secretary of the Holbrook School 
Apparatus Company, 413 Broadway, New York, has kindly 
furnished me the following cuts, which represent samples 
of an extensive range of simple and ingenious, though 
cheap Apparatus for Schools. The various articles here 
referred to, together with improved Apparatus and School 
Furniture generally, ma)- be obtained at the office of the 
Secretary, as above, or of Mr, George Sherwood, President 
of the Company, at 194 Lake street, Chicago, to whom I 
have already referred as supplying orders for improved 
School Furniture. 




Several of the articles represented in miniature, in the 
Aforegoing cut, I am enabled to illustrate^singly in the fol- 
lowing pages : 

* This subject cannot weU be pu'sued to a greater extent here-. la. the writer's ■work on 
the Meavs and Ends of Universal Education, ua entira Chapter of about fifty pages is deToted 
to "the education of the five senses," to wbiob the reader is referred. 



SCHOOL iPPAEiTDS. 



405 



riL;ute 1. — Numeral Frame. 




A skillful Teacher will turn the Numeral Fraruo to good 
account, in teaching many things. It was primarily em- 
ployed for teaching small children to count. It may, how- 
ever, with equal advantage be used as a medium of ad- 
dressing the minds of children through the eye, while we 
speak to the outer ear, in illustrating all of the simple, and 
some of the more complex operations upon numbers. By 
this means the first lessons of children maybe rendered 
more attractive, and impressions thus made upon their 
minds will be stronger and more permanent. In the use 
of this simple instrument, addition, subtraction, multipli- 
cation, and division, may bo well illustrated, as may also 
many of the principles of fractions. 

It may be turned to admirable account in illustrating 
our Decimal Currency and decimal fractions. By its use, 
also, the square of any single figure may be readily shown. 
The roots of all perfect powers expressed by not exceed- 
ing two figures, may likewise be readily illustrated by it. 



406 



SCHOOL APPARATUS. 

Fig 2 — Holbrook's Drawing Slate. 




This, or sometbiDg similar, has already been incidentally 
referred to, as a means of turDiDg- the otherwise idle honrs 
of children to good account, by Hffording them pleasant 
employment in writiDg, drawing, and composition. On the 
margin of the slate the maniaer of holding the pen is indi- 
cated. There are also eopies of letters to be written, and 
objects to be drawn. Children have sometimes, by the aid 
of a slate and pencil, made great proficiency in learning to 
read, entirely withont books. This is done by their writing 
•or printing out their own reading lessons, which they are 
sure to understand, and which they sometimes read with 
dramatic effect. 

The following figures for representing Geometrical Sol- 
ids, may be rendered more suggestive than is at first 
apparent. 

The light portions of the three cubes represented in Fig. 
S, show the squares of the numbers 1, 2 and 4, to be 1, 4 
and 16; while the cubes themselves as distijjctly show 
that the (mhes of the numbers 1, 2 and 4, are 1, 8 and 64 — 
facts which, without illustration, are often difficult for 
children to comprehend. 



SCHOOL APPARATUS. 

Fis:. S — Cubes. 



407 





1.1 I I 



Fig. 6 — ^SpheiB and Spheroidg. 




Oblate BphsToid. 



SpL«ie. 



Prolate Splieicid. 



408 



SCHOOL APPARATUS. 

Fig. 7. — Cone, Pj'ramid, Frustnim, etc. 




Pyramid and Frustrum. Segmcat ol" a ?pliei'e. Cone and Frustnim. 
Fig. 8. — Piisms and Cylinder. 






H 




1 


'l , 


1 


1 1 

l{ 1 1 


K 




It 13 often extremely difficult to give a distinct idea of 
Geometrical Solids liere represented, without the solids 
themselves fgr illustration. The cuts here introduced, 
even in the absence of the solids they represent, may be 
made to illustrate many a practical problem in common 
life. They suggest the forms of lots into which a farm 
should be divided in order to economize material for fen-, 
ces. They also suggest the most economical shapes for 
buildings, boxes, bins, etc., so as to afford the greatest 
cubical capacity with the least surface. 



SCHOOL APPARATUS. 



409 



A most excellent method of disciplining the sense of 
sight, and in such a way as to interest children, and secure 
to them great practical advantage, by familiarizing* them 
with distances, while they are learning the definitions of 
figures in plane geometry, and a method that is adapted to 
the capacity of children during their first years in school, 
is given on the ISSth and following pages of the writer's 
work on the "Means and Ends of Universal Education,'' 
which was prepared and published eight years ago, pur- 
suant to a Resolution of the Senate and House of Eepre- 
sentatives, adopted in February, 1849. 







Fig. 9. — Carpenter's Theoreia. 

This Figure represents to the Eye the truth of what is 
popularly known as the Carpenter's Theorem, to wit : 
The square described upon the hypotenuse of a right-angled 
triangle is equal to the sum of the squares described upon the 
other two sides. Although not a demonstration^ it will carry 
with it a clear conviction to many minds, and will be of 
great service to the student in arithmetic, who is unable 
to advance to the study of geometry. It may also awaken 
an interest in some minds that will not rest satisfied with- 
out mastering the demonstration. 



52 



41® 



SCHOOL APPARATUS. 

Fit;, iO. — Cube Root Block. 




The extraction of the cube root can be more easily aad 
more satisfactorily explained to mo^t persons unacquainted 
with algebra or geometry, in the use of the block repre- 
sented by Fig, 10, than in any other way. 

Figures 11 and 12, on the next page, represent the 
Terrestrial Globe, and a Hemisphere Globe, both of 
which will be found to enhance the interest of the pupSi 
in the study of geography, and to facilitate his easy ac^ 
quisition of this important branch of study. Pupili 
now often study geography for months, and even for 
years, learning definitions, and bounding States and Coun- 
tries, without hioiving for themselves the form of the Earth, 
or possessing any distinct idea of zones, latitude, longi- 
tude, etc. A good eight-inch globe, like that represented 
at Fig. 11, which will cost from $6 00 to $10 00, in the 
hands of a Teacher who is in any degree competent to inr 
struct, will enable him to impart more instruction in rela- 
tion to zones, latitude and longitude, day and night, the 
currents of the oce^n, etc., in sis days, than has often been 
acquired in as many m.onttis. 



SCHOOL APPARATUS. 



411 




Fig. 12. — Hemisphere GJobe. 

The Hemisphere Globe, represeuted at figure 12, is also 
aii''important aid in the study of Geography. 

The use of Outline Maps, and the practice of Map- 
drawiug, mil be fouud a sure means of rendering the 
knowledge acquired of geography, distiiict, correct, and 
permanent, without which, time spent in its study is hardly 
better^than thrown away. 



412 



SCHOOL APPARATUS. 




Fig. 13.— The Trllurian. 

The Tellurian, which is represented at Fig. 13, furnishes 
better and clearer illustrations than can otherwise be given 
of many interesting and important phenomena, among 
which are the sucession of day and night ; the changes of 
the seasons ; the varying length of days and nights at dif- 
ferent seasons of the year ; the rising of the Sun north of 
east, and its setting north of west, in the Summer, and its 
rising and setting south of these points in the Winter ; the 
changes of the Moon ; solar and lunar eclipses : spring 
and neap tides; the later daily recurrence of the tides; 
the length of days on the Moon; the appearance of the 
Earth to observers on the Moon ; the Harvest Moon ; and 
the difference between a solar and the sideriai year. All 
of these, and other phenomena, may be explained by the 
use of the Tellurian, or Season Machine, as it is sometimes 
called, with a clearness and simplicity that bring them 
within the comprehension of children. 



SCHOOL APPARATUS, 



413 





Fig. 14. — Tbo OnO'y, or Plaaetarium. 

Some persons may be inclined to regard the suggestions 
here given as theoretical, and even visionary, and may 
wonder why the Superintendent, in an official document, 
does not restrict himself to things practical. Such persons 
may regard it the exclusive office of a practical education 
to teach the art of increasing material riches — of gather- 
ing shining dollars. But I regard that practical which 
awakens bright thoughts, which elevates the affections, 
which entertains the imagination, which widens and 
hightens the range of reflection, and. which renders frail 
mortals more appreciative and more worthy children of 
our Father in Heaven. Shall we not, then, regard that 
practieal Avhich gives a rational idea of a plurality of 
worlds ; which teaches that many of the stars of heaven 
are worlds like our own, with days, and nights, and chang- 
ing seasons, and some of them several hundred times 
larger than our Earth, and all of them probably inhabited 
by rational and intelligent beings; which teaches, also, 
that other stars are, like our Sun, centers to other Systems, 
like our Solar System ; and all, it may be,, retained in their 
position by one common law, which may be taught to 



414 SCHOOL APPABATUS. 

children ; shall we- not, I say, regard such teachings 
^practical ? 

Or shall we suffer our children to become men anc 
women fjJiysicaUy, though babes menfavly, holding, as some 
of their fathers and mothers do, the unworthy opinion 
that the stars of Pleaven are merely tiny lights for no use- 
ful purpose, and only occasionally visible ; or that, at best, 
they are eije holes through which God looks down to see 
what naughty children and wicked men do ; himself a great 
spy, secreted behind the thick curtain of night? 

I need not say, such thoughts are degrading to humanity, 
and unworthy of the beneficent Father of us all. We 
need, then, the Orrery, represented by Fig. 14, which will 
aid us and our children in comprehending the annual revo- 
lutions of the sisterhood of planets, and the magnificent 
machinery of the Solar System. This instrument, thus 
becomes one of the most practical inventions of this, or of 
any age. It costs $12 00 to f 15 00, according to the style 
of manufacture. 

Section 23, of the Primary School Law, provides that 
Districts may raise money by tax for the purchase of 
globes, outline maps, and apparatus for illustrating the 
principles of astronomy, natural philosophy, agricultural 
chemistry, and the mechanic arts. 

The Celestial Sphere represents the Earth, (a,) sur- 
rounded by the heavens, and indicates the Celestial Me- 
ridians, (d, d,) the Equator, (f,) and the Zodiac, (e.) It also 
represents the poles of the heavens, which are simply the 
poles of the Earth extended. The Zodiac is divided into 
twelve equal parts, representing the twelve signs. Its 
lower edge is marked with degrees ; and on its upper edge 
months and days are indicated. The axis (g,) m'ay be in- 
clined to any angle desired, by loosening the thumb-screw, 
(c,) as represented at 2 and 3. 

By means of this instrument, the real horizon , of any 
place on the globe may be shown ; also the lengths of the 



SCHOOL APPARATDS. 
1 



415 




Ficc. 15.— The Celestial Sphere. 

days and nights on any part of the earth, and at any sea- 
son. The time of the rising and setting of the sun, and 
the sun's appearcince at the Pohs, and bis phice in the 
Ecliptic on any day of the year, may Jikewise be iUustra- 
ted by it. The Celestial Sphere may be obtained at a cost 
of $8 00 to $12 00. 

School officers and others desirous of procuring any or 
all of the articles of School Apparatus here illustrated, 
will find the address of parties through \vho.-e agency the 
■ame, and improved articles of Apparatus generally, may 
be obtained, at the 404th page of this volume. They may 



416 



SCHOOL APPARATUS. 



doubtless be procured at other places ; but these are nam«d 
as they have kindly furnished the means of illustration 
here used. 

Hereto are also appended illustrations of another style 
of School Desk, and an approved style of Inkstand; also, 
a cut representing in miniature one of a series of ten Phi- 
losophical Charts ; all of which may be obtained at either 
of the establishments last referred to. 




HARTFORD SCHOOI. TESE. 



SATTERLEE'S PATENT INKSTAND. 




EW !NVENTiON FOR SCHO 



EXPLANATION.— Tlie iron plate (a,) with a screw-thread on its rim, is l;eld securely to the 
desk or table by two common screws. On this is placed the glass font (6,) to contain the ink. The 
cap (c,) of Japanned iron, surrounds the glass font, and is screwed on to the base-plate, GrremoTed 
at pleasure, by the lever (</.) 



TEXT BOOKS 

Recommended for the Public Schools of Michigan, hy the 
Superintendent of PuUic Instruction. 



The Superintendent of Public Instruction is required 
by law to publish " a list of such books as (he) shall think 
best adapted to the use of the Primary Schools, and a list 
of books suitable for Township Libraries." In discharg- 
ing this somewhat difficult and delicate duty, the present 
Superintendent has studied as carefully as possible the 
character of the books and the wants of the Schools. He 
has also consulted freely with the leading Teachers of the 
State, and has weighed with much care the somewhat con- 
flicting opinions concerning the various Text Books in 
use. 

Among the numerous Text Books offered for examina- 
tion — each one having its peculiar excellences, and each 
one, too, its defects — none being perfect — it has often 
been a matter of great difficulty to arrive at a just con- 
clusion as to the comparative value of any one book. 

In making the selection, care has been taken — 

Ist. To get the hest hooTcs ; and, 

2nd. To make as feiv changes as possible in the books al- 
ready in use. 

Extensive changes would not only be expensive to the 
people, but would sacrifice something of that familiarity 
with the Text Books, which greatly facilitates the work of 
the younger and less experienced Teachers. Between 
Text Books of nearly equal merits, therefore, the prefer- 
ence has been given to those most widely in use. 
53 



418 TEXT BOOKS. 

Doubtless many defects will be found, and many objec- 
tions will be urged against the books on tbe list ; but it is 
doubtful whether any books can be substituted in their 
place, against which an equal number of objections might 
not be urged. There is no book on the list which has not 
been successfully used in the School-room, and each one 
has received the high approval of Teachers of known 
ability. The Superintendent, therefore, freely commends 
these books to the School Boards of the State, as worthy 
of their confidence — as good practical books which any 
Teacher of ordinary skill can use successfully. 

The use of the books recommended by the Superintend- 
ent is not obligatory upon the Districts, the right to pre- 
scribe authoritatively the Text Books for any District being 
vested by law in the District Board of such District. 
The use of a diversity of Text Books in any one branch of 
study, in the same School, is so serious an evil, that District 
Boards should exert all their influence and authority to 
abate it. If a Teacher is compelled to hear two classes 
instead of one, recite daily in Geography or Grammar, 
simply because the pupils have different Text Books, half 
of the time devoted to that branch is wasted. Suppose 
the extra recitation occupies thirty minutes ; in a week 
this amounts to three hours, or half a School-day ; in a 
year it amounts to twenty-six days, or one month, costing, 
at ordinary rates of wages, $25 or $30, — all of which the 
District pays to save the expense of the two or three new 
books necessary to enable the pupils to be classed to- 
gether. But if we reckon not merely one extra class, but 
three or four, as often are found in a School in which a 
diversity of Readers, Arithmetics, Geographies, &c., are 
allowed, the time wasted will be two or three hours a day, 
and thus the District is made to pay perhaps $100 a year 
to save the purchase of new books which would generally 
in the aggregate cost less than $10. If there be added to 
this the hurry and imperfection which must necessarily 



TEXT BOOKS. ' 419 

attend all the teaching where the Teacher's time is divided 
between an undue number of classes, the magnitude of 
this too common evil may easily be seen. While a uni- 
formity of Text Books throughout the State would be de- 
sirable, as affecting the uniformity in the separate Schools, 
a uniforrrdty in each School is a vital necessity to the welfare 
and success of the School. 

It is not recommended that any School already supplied 
with a complete set of Text Books, shall make any change 
for the purpose of introducing the books upon this list. 
On the contrary, the District Board of such a District 
should firmly resist every proposition for change, unless 
some more than ordinary advantage is to result therefrom. 

Finally, in adopting a series of Text Books, much re- 
gard is due, and will be paid by a wise School Board, to 
the judgment of a prudent and experienced Teacher, es- 
pecially if such Teacher is somewhat permanently em- 
ployed in the School. Many good Teachers will doubtless 
dissent from some of the books on this list, and prefer 
others from which they, at least, can teach with greater 
efficiency and success ; but the Superintendent confidently 
believes that the great body of the Teachers of the State 
will, from a sincere desire to promote the interests of the 
Schools, cheerfully concur in the adoption of this list, even 
though they may personally entertain a preference for 
other books. 

Orthography. 

The Progressive Speller, by Salem Town and N. M. Hoi- 
brook. 
McElligott's Young Analyzer. 

This should follow the spelliugbook to teach the analytical structure of oar 
•<5ompound and derivative words. 

Practical Guide to E oglish Pronunciation, by E. J. Stearns. 

A small book of much value in its department. 

Webster's Dictionaries. 



420 TEXT BOOKS. 

Every School shoald liavo a Quarto Dictionary for reference, and every pu- 
pil should have a smaller one for private use. Where it can be affordedj I 
would also recommend Worcester's large Dictionary as a book of reference. 

Beading Boohs. 

Webb's Primary Lessons — a set of cards to be hung up 
and used in teaching beginners. 
Webb's Normal Reader, No. 1. 
Webb's Normal Eeader, No. 2. 

These are most excellent primary readers, and are the only ones, I have 
seen, really adapted to the Word method of teaching. 

Sanders' New First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth 
Readers, and Young Ladies' Reader. * 

Sanders' Readers are generally used in the State, and are excellent books. 
They should follow the Normal Readers. 

Sargent's Standard Fifth Reader. 

Where another Reader is desired for the highest classes, ^this will be found 
one of the most excellent in use. 

Elocution. 

Sanders' Elocutionary Chart. 
Northend's Little Speaker. 
Sargent's Standard Speaker. 
Fowle's 100 Dialogues. 

Grammars. 

Welch's Analysis of the English Sentence. 
Sill's Synthesis of the English Sentence. 

These works, which were written by Teachers in the State Normal School^ are 
used in that School, and as a consequence are coming generally into use in the 
State. They differ widely from the old Grammars, but are certainly more 
philosophical, and hence more useful. 

Green's Elements of English Grammar. 

I add this book because there arc many Teachers and School-officers who 
are not familiar with the works of Profs. Welch and Sill, and who will prefer- 
other works. 

Bheforic and Composition. 

Brookfield's First Book in Composition. 



TEXT BOCKS. 421 

Quackenbos' First Lessons in Composition. 
Quackenbos' Advanced Composition and Rhetoric. 
Trench's Study of Words. 
Kame'a Elements of Criticism. 
Willson's Treatise on Punctuation. 

3fafJi€7natic8. 

Stoddard's Juvenile Mental Arithmetic. 
Stoddard's Intellectual Arithmetic. 

ThcKO books are warmly approved by our best Teachers, and are geacrally 
used in the Schools. 

Davies' New School Arithmetic. 
Davies' University Arithmetic. 

Those are good books, and arc too generally in use in the State to warrant 
the expense of a change. 

Dana P. Colburn's Arithmetic, and its Applications. 

In use in the State Normal School, and a valuable book for Teachers and 
advanced classes. 

Davies' Algebras, 

Davies' Surveying and higher Mathematics. 

Although several other excellent Text Books in Algebra and Geometry are 
now before the public, these works are still in general use in this State, and I 
see no sufficient reason to wish for a change. Taken as a series, they arc not 
surpassed. Robinson's Mathematical works will be found valual>lc for ref- 
erence. 

Geographies. 

Mitchell's Oatline Maps. 
Pelton's Outline Maps. 

Every Primary School should have a sot of Outline Maps. For Common 
Schools, Mitchell's will be found sufEcient. For Graded Schools, Pelton's, 
which arc much larger and more expensive, will be found desirable. 

Cornell's Geographies. 

Monteith's and McNally's Geographies. 

These series, as far as can be learned, are both extensively used in the 
State, and nearly divide our Schools between them. Each series has its excel- 
lenoies and defects. 

Warren's Physical Geography. 



422 TEXT BOOKS. 

Histories. 

Willson's History of the United States. 

Groodrich's History of England. 

Groodrich's History of France. 

Goodrich's History of Greece. 

Goodrich's History of Rome. 

Willson's Outlines of Universal History. 

Weber's Outlines of History. 

Willard's Universal History. 

These last two for reference. Bern's Historical Chart, put)lislied in tiiis 
country by Miss E. Peahody, is a valuaWe aid in the study of Chronography. 

Penmanship and Book-Keeping, 

Payson, Dunton and Scribner's Penmanship, embracing 
ten copy books. 

Payson and Hanaford's Book-Keeping, Double and Single 

Entry. 

This is the best hook for Common Schools that has come to my notice. 
Sets of accounts are beautifully engraved, giving a better idea of the appear- 
ance of a well kept account book, and affording valuable copies for writing. 
Small blank books, accompany this work. 

Natural Science, &c. 

First Book of Science, Norton & Porter. 

"Wells' Natural Philosophy. 

Lardners's Natural Philosophy, for Teachers and ad- 
vanced pupils. 

Porter's Chemistry, 

Hitchcock's Geology. 

Goold & Agassiz's Zoology. 

Gray's Botanies. 

Loomis' Physiology. 

Wells' Familiar Science. 

Wells' Things not Generally Known. 

These two works will be found of much use to Teachers in conversational 
lessons on common things. 

Mattison's Astronomy. 



TEXT BOOKS. 423 

Bouvler's Familiar Astronomy. 

Robinson's Astronomies. 

Goadby's Animal and Vegetable Physiology. 

Moral and 3fental Science. 

Moral Lessons. 
Morals for the Young. 
Way land's Moral Science. 
Wayland's Intellectual Philosophy. 
Mahan's Intellectual Philosophy. 
Whateley's Logic. 
Tappan's Logic. 

French, 

Fasquell's Juvenile French Course. 
Fasquell's French Course. 
Fasquell's Series of French Books. 

Boohs for Teachers. 

The School and Schoolmaster. 

Page's Theory and Practice of Teaching. 

Northend's Parent and Teacher, 

Root's School Amusements. 

National Education in Europe. 

Home Encyclopedias. 

These books, published by Barnes & Burr, New York, Will be found valua- 
ble books for reference. 

Apparatus, (&c., for Primary Schools. 
Black Boards. 

A Terestrial Globe, 8 or 10 inches. 
Holbrook's Noiseless Drawing Slates. 
School Register, to keep daily attendance, scholarship, &c. 
The Universal School Register is well devised and cheap. 
A set of Schuster's Drawing Cards will be found of value. 
A set of Mathematical Solids. 



BOOKS fo;r township and district 

LIBRARIES. 



The new Library law makes it tlie duty of the State 
Board of Education to select a list of books, and contract 
with the lowest bidder to furnish the same in such quan- 
tities as may be wanted. In accordance with this provis- 
ion, the Board of Education will make such selection and 
send a copy to each District Director and Township Clerk 
before the first day of January. As it is expected that 
these books will be secured both in better binding and at 
lower rates than is usual, Townships or Districts having 
money to expend for books, will do well to wait for this 
list. 

The duty of the Superintendent to publish a list of Li- 
brary books would seem to have been superseded by this 
requirement upon the Board of Education. It has, how- 
ever, been deemed desirable that a list of Library books 
should be published in the present volume. 

The selection of reading for the people, and especially 
for the young, for whom the Libraries are mainly designed, 
is a task of so much importance, and requiring so much 
time and care, that every possible aid should be rendered 
to those on whom this task is devolved. 

Two principal errors have been committed in the choice 
of books for the School Libraries: 1st. The choice of 
amusing but worthless books, tales of adventure, <fec.; and 
2d. The selection of books of standard character, but of 
SQ high a range as to be uninteresting to the young. The 
chief value of these Public Libraries is the taste for read- 



LIBRARY BOOKS. 425 

ing they may inspire in the young. They should, there- 
fore, contain a liberal proportion of such books as will 
prove attractive to youth, and at the same time instructive 
to all. 

Many of the books on the following list will perhaps be 
included in the list of the Board of Education. 

Biography. 

Abbott's Alfred the Great. 

Abbott's William the Conqueror. 

Abbott's Richard I. 

Abbott's Mary Queen of Scots. 

Abbott's Queen Elizabeth. 

Abbott's Charles I. 

Abbott's Charles II. 

Abbott's Josephine. 

Abbott's Maria Antoinette. 

Abbott's Henry lY. 

Abbott's King Philip. 

Abbott's Cyrus the G-reat, 

Abbott's Darius. 

Abbott's Xerxes. 

Abbott's Alexander the Great. 

Abbott's Romulus. 

Abbott's Hannibal. 

Abbott's Julius Caesar. 

Abbott's Nero. 

Abbott's Fernando Cortez. 

Abbott's Columbus. 

Mrs. Kirkland's Washington, 

Life of Franklin, by Sargent. 

Life of Randolph, by Garland. 

Life of Jefferson. 

Lives of the Signers. 

Spark's American Biography, 10 vols. 

D'Abrante's Napoleon. 

54 



426 LIBSAET BOOKS. 

Carlyle's Cromwell. 
Dr. Hawks' Eicliard I. 
Barrow's Peter the Great. 
Life and Adventures of Boone. 
BoswelFs Jolinson. 

« 

My Schools and Schoolmasters, Miller. 

John Milton. 

Irving's Life of Washington. 

Irving's life of Columbus. 

Life of James Watt, Mnirhead. 

Heroines of History, Hewitt. 

Sarah B. Judson, by Fanny Forester. 

Memorials of Webster. 

Edgar's Boyhood of Great Men. 

Life of Dr. Kane. 

Life of Thomas Cole. 

Life of Isaac T. Hopper. 

Plutarch's Lives. 

Lives of the old Painters. 

Sculpture and the Sculptors. 

The Bonaparte Family. 

Carlyle's Frederick the Great. 

GilfiUan's Literary Men. 

Thatcher's Indian Biography. 

History, 

Parley's United States. 
Elliott's United States. 
Lossing's KevolutioB. 
Bancroft's United States. 
Dr. Smith's History of Greece. 
Liddell's History of Rome. 
Kohlrausch's Germany. 
Michelet's France. 
Lamartine's Turkey. 
Hume's England. 



LIBRARY BOOKS. 427 

Macauley's England. 

Allison's Europe. 

Jjamartine's French Revolution. 

D'Aubigne's Reformation. 

History of English Constitution, Creasy. 

History of English Bible Translation, Conant. 

Sheldon's History of Michigan. 

James' Chivalry and the Crusades. 

Sismondi's Italian Republics. 

Schlegel's Philosophy of History. 

Prescott's Ferdinand and Isabella. 

Prescott's Conquest of Mexico. 

Prescott's Conquest of Peru. 

Prescott's Phillip II. 

Robertson's Charles V. 

Mcintosh's North American Indians. 

Hildreth's United States. 

Hallam's Middle Ages. 

Japan as it Was and Is. 

J. S. C. Abbott's Austria. 

Guizot's History of Civilization. 

Benton's Thirty Years' Yiew. 

Palfrey's New England. 

Neal's History of Puritans. 

Child's History of England, Dickens. 

Merry England, Grace Greenwood. 

Emerson's English Traits. 

Struggles of Religious Liberty. 

Arnold's Lectures on Modern History. 

Cooper's Naval History. 

Travels, &c, 

Farnum'e Travels. 
Lynch's Dead Sea Expedition. 
Arctic Adventures, Sargent. 
Dr. Kane's Arctic Explorations. 



425' LIBRARY BOOKS. 

Stephen's Travels in Arabia, &c. 

Bayard Taylor's Lands of the Saracen. 

Bayord Taylor's Central Africa. 

Bayard Taylor's India, China and Japan. 

Bayard Taylor's Northern Travel. 

Isham's Mud Cabin. 

Baird's Courts of Northern Europe. 

Walks and Talks in England, Olmstead. 

Step from the New World to the Old, by Dr. Tappan. 

Silliman's Visit to Europe. 

The American in Japan. 

New York to Delhi, Minturn. 

Humboldt's Travels. 

America and Europe, G-urowski. 

Livingston's Travels ia Africa. 

Earth's North and Central Africa. 

A Summer in Scotland, Abbott. 

Stewart's Brazil and La Plata. 

Home Life in G-ermany, Brace. 

At Home and Abroad. 

Cheever's Sandwich Islands. 

Parry's Voyages. 

Cruise in the Mediterranean, Willis. 

Three Years in California, Colton. 

La Plata, by Thomas J. Page, U. S. N. 

Sciences and Art. 

Potter's Applications of Science to Useful Arts. 

Fox's Text Book of Agriculture. 

Cattle, by Youatt and Martin. 

Elliott's Fruit Book. 

Hand Book of the Garden, 

Hand Book of the Farm, 

Youman's Household Science. 

Things Not G-enerally Known. 

Good's Book of Nature. 



LIBBABY BOOKS. 429 

American "Weeds and Useful Plants. 

Milch Cows and Dairy Farming. 

A Practical Treatise on Grasses and Forage Plants. 

Physical Geography of the Sea. 

Guyot's Earth and Man. 

Humboldt's Cosmos. 

Sommerville's Physical Geography. 

Planetary and Stellar Worlds, Mitchell. 

Dick's Celestial Scenery. 

Nichols' Architecture of the Heavens. 

Dick's Siderial Heavens. 

Mahan's Intellectual Philosophy. 

Wayland's Intellectual Philosophy. 

Abercrombie's Intellectual Powers. 

Hamilton's Philosophy. 

Tappan's Logic. 

Testimony of the Eocks. 

Whewell's Inductive Sciences. 

Natural History of Insects, Harpers. 

Brewster's Letters on Natural Majgic. 

Mackay's Memoirs of Popular Delusions. 

Educational. 

National Education in Europe. 
American Journal of Education, 5 vols. 
Barnard's School Architecture. 
Country School-houses. 
The School and Schoolmaster. 
Theory and Practice of Teaching. 
Northend's Parent and Teacher, 
District School, by J. 0. Taylor. 
Confessions of a Schoolmaster. 
Mayhew's Universal Education. 
Everett's Lectures on Education. 
School Days at Eugby. 
Mann's Lectures on Education. 



430 LIBRAEY BOOKS. 

Abbott's Mother at Home. 

The Mother's Book, Maria L. Child. 

Poetry and Miscellaneous Works. 

Milton, Boyd's. 
Pollock, " 
Young " 

Cowper " . ._ 

Longfellow's Poems. 
Whittier's " 
Bryant's 

"Wordsworth's " 
Hemans' " 

Lowell's 

Swiss Family Robinson. 
Nott's Counsel to Young Men. 
Nott's Temperance Lectures. 
Taylor's Notes from Life. 
Sir Eoger De Coverley. 
Our Village. 
Picciola. 

Dwight's Mythology. 
Ancient Monasteries. 
Morality and the State. 
Home Hits and Hints. 
Derivation of Family Names. 
. Life in Israel. 
"Works of Hannah Moore. 
Life Pictures, from a Pastor's Note Book. 
Wisdom, Wit and Whims. 
Uncle Tom's Cabin. 
Life Thoughts, Beecher. 
Milestones in our Life Journey. 
A Woman's Thoughts About Woman. 
Pictures of the Olden Time. 



LIBEART B00K9. 431 



Homes of American Authors. 

Battle Summer, Ik. Marvel. 

January and June. 

Maxims of Washington. 

Progress of Nations. 

De Quincy's Auto-Biographical Sketches. 

Literary Reminiscences. 

Ivanhoe. 

Rasselas, Dr. Johnson. 

Hazlitt's Table Talk. 

Africa and the American Flag. 

Gilfillan's Bards of the Bible. 

Age of Chivalry. 

Potter's Hand-Book for Students. 

Arthur's Temperance Tales. 

The Banks of New York. 

The Iroquois. 

Juvenile Books. 

The Rollo Books, 14 vols. 

Dawnings of Genius. 

Son of a Genius. 

Work and Wages. 

Wealth and Worth. 

Live and Let Live. 

The Goldmaker's Village. 

■George Ready. 

Trap to Catch a Sunbeam. 

Louis' School Days. 

Child's Book of Nature. 

Robinson Crusoe. 

Poor Rich Man and Rich Poor Man. 

Harper's Storj Books. 

Abbot's Histories. 

Who shall be Greatest. 



432 LIBRARY BOOKS. 

I'll be a Lady. 

I'll bo a Gentleman. 

When are we Happiest? 

The Boy of Spirit. 

The Boarding-School Girl. 

Happy Days. 



INDEX. 



A. 

PAGE. 

Agricultural Colleoe, 79, 15^ 

established, SS 

expenses of, 87 

what it has done, 89 

how to be sustained, 92-95 

law establishing, 251 

lands appropriated for, 251 

terms of School in, 253 

pupils received for not less than one term, 253 

duties of ,President of, 254- 

of Secretary of, 255 

of Treasurer of, 255 

Visitors to, 256 

Apportionment, of Primary School fund, 161 

statement of, to Auditor General, 161 

to County Clerks, 261 

when Reports are defective, 162 

made the next year in certain cases, 162 

for summer and winter terms, 174 

of School District property, 194 

of moneys by Township Clerk, 204 

of certain moneys received by Township Treas.,. . 212 
manner of, in fractional Districts, 215 

*NoTE. — By amendments to the School Laws, since the /orms in this volume 
were printed, and to which the Index refers, it is necessary to call the reader's 
attention to the following : 

On page 294 — " Eemark 4 " to form 8, is rendered of no force by the re- 
peal of sections 92 and 93. 
- On page 299 — form 16 is rendered obsolete by the repeal of section 95. 

Also on page 299 — form 17 is made insufficient, and illegal, by the amend- 
ment of section 85. For proper form, see page 200. 

On pages 304 and 306, the forms for Reports are rendered insufficient by 
changes in the Law. School officers must be governed by the blanks sent from 
year to year, from the Office of Public Instruction. 
55 



434 INDEX. 

Asylum, for the Insane, , 135, 159 

numcer of Insane, 136 

money loaned to, 139 

appropriated for, 140, 142 

partial destruction of, by fire, 142 

description of, 144 

farm connected with, 144 

cost of, compared "with others, 152 

English opinion of, 153 

Asylum, for the Deaf and Blind, 115, 159 

first, in America, IIT 

first appropriation of lands for, in Michigan, 118 

cash appropriation for, 121 

description of, 122, 123 

expense of, 123, 128 

AsSESSOB, election of, and term, 165 

his duties, 176 

and Moderator may hire Teacher, 178 

warrant to collect rate bill, 182 

longer time given, to collect, 183 

and Moderator to audit Director's account, 184 

to give bond, 188 

District Board to appoint, in certain cases, 190 

certain moneys to be paid to, 196 

to certify judgment to Supervisor, 211 

shall forfeit ten dollars for neglect, etc., 211 

Inspectors may appoint in certain cases, 217 

to sign notice to unknown owner of land, 221 

form of order upon, for moneys, 295 

of bond to be given by, 296 

of notice for sale, 292 

of return of warrant, 293 

of Graded School, how elected, 218 

B. 

Board of Education, election of, 158 

to contract for Library books, 231 

to have control of Normal School, 237 

Agricultural College, 252 

Board of Yisitors, — See " Visitors.''^ 

Board of Regents, election of, 158 

a body corporate, 246 

government of University vested in, 246 

to make by-laws, elect President, &c., 246, 247 

to prescribe course of study, &c., 247 



INDEX. 435 

_ _ PACB. 

Board of Regents — 

annual report of, to Sup't of Public Instruction,. .248 

may establish branches, 249 

meetings of, , , . . 249 

Bond, to be given by Assessor, , . , 188 

to bo given by Treasurer of Board of Inspectors, . . 190 

to be sued by Township Clerk, 190 

for money loaned, 227 

of officers of incorporated Institutions, 260 

form of, for Assessor, 296 

Chairman of School Inspectors, 297 

C. 

Census, to be taken by Director, 180 

who embraced in, 180 

Challenge, to voters, 170 

to jurors, 221 

Compensation, for collecting rate bill, 182 

estimate of, for District officers, 184 

limited, to Inspectors for examining Teachers, 201 

for site for School-house, 220, 222 

of officers and jurors in certain cases, 226 

of School Inspectors, 228 

of officers in Norman School, 243 

of Board of Education, 243, 244 

of Visitors to Normal School, 244 

of Professors, <fec., in Agricultural College, 253 

of pupils in Agricultural College, 254 

Contract, of Teacher with District Board, 178 

how annulled, (note,) 179 

void with Teacher not qualified, (note,) 179 

form of, with Teacher, 294 

County Clerk, to transmit reports to Superintendent, . 208 
to receive communications from Superintendent, . . 208 
penalty for neglect, 212 

County Treasurer, School funds paid to, 210 

how money drawn from, in certain cases, 226 

D. 

Director, election of, and term, 165 

his record to be evidence, 168 

his duties, 178 

•pro tem., if absent, 178 

to apportion fuel, <fec., 179 

to take census, ISO 



436 INDEX. 

DlEE€TOR, to furnish, names of children to Teacher, .... 180 

to ascertain amount due for tuition, , . 181 

to make rate bill and warrant for collection, 181 

to keep School-house in repair, 183 

and Moderator may renew warrant for rate bill,. .183 

to draw books from Township Library, , 185 

to draw orders on Assessor, 185 

to draw warrant on Township Treasurer, 185 

to make report to Inspectors, 185 

to require bond of Assessor, 188 

to sue Assessor's bond, 188 

to make annual report to certain Township Clerk8,19T 

report of, of children in fractional Districts, 19T 

penalty for neglect, 211 

to file acceptance of certain officers, 21T 

of Graded School— how elected, 218 

and Moderator may issue bonds in certain cases,. .227 

form of contract with Teacher, , 294 

certificate to, relative to site, 301 

Annual Report of, 304 

District Board — 

duty of, in certain case, , . . 174 

members of, 186 

to report to Supervisor, taxes voted, 186, 198 

may buy books, &c., for indigent children, 187 

duties of, concerning School-house, 187 

to report receipts, expenses and taxes, .... 188 

to have custody of property, except, &c., 189 

may fill vacancy in Board, 189 

for Graded and High Schools, 217 

of Graded School elect their own officers, 218 

to publish notice to unknown owner of land, 221 

to fix rates of tuition, &c., 224 

to have charge of District Library and appoint 

Librarian, 230 

may select books from list of Board of Education, . . 231 

form for report of, to Supervisor, 296 

form for appointment of District officers, 298 

District Officers — 

elected by a majority vote, (note,) 167 

to file acceptance within ten days, 166, 217 

incur penalty for neglect, 211 

when Inspectors shall appoint, 217 

form of acceptance of, 289 

of appointment of, 298 

Diplomas, to graduates of Normal School, 245 



INDEX. 437 



PAGE, 



E. 

Education, Constitutional provisions, 157 

Election, of District officers, 165 

by majority vote, (note,) 167 

to fill vacancies, 189 

who may vote at, 169, 216 

on failure of, at first meeting, Inspectors to appoint,2l7 

of Trustees for Graded Schools, 217 

of District officers by Trustees of Graded School, . . 218 

of Board of Regents, 158 

of Board of Education, 158 

Examination, of Teachers, see "Teachers." 

Expense — 

to keep School-house in repair audited, 184 

of District officers, and repairs, 184 

F. 
Fines, apportioned for books, 159, 209 

Form, of Teacher's certificate, 200 

of notice to taxable inhabitant, 287 

of notice of first meeting of District, 288 

of endorsement upon notice of first meeting, 288 

of acceptance of office by District officers, 289 

of notice for annual meetings, 289 

special meetings, 290 

of request for special meeting, 289 

of rate bill and warrant, 290 

of notice of Assessor's sale, 292 

of Assessor's return to warrant, 293 

of contract with Teacher, , 294 

of endorsement for extension of Warrant, 295 

of order on Assessor for moneys, 295 

of warrant upon Town Treasurer for moneys, «... 295 

of Report by District Board to Supervisor, 296 

of Assessor's bond, 296 

of chairman of Inspectors' bond, 297 

of appointment by District Board, 29S 

of appointment by Inspectors, 299 

of notice for meeting of Inspectors, 300 

of notice to re-examine Teacher, 300 

of certificate of Inspectors locating site, 301 

of Deed to District, 301 

of Lease " 303 

of Director's report to Inspectors 304 

of Inspector's report to County Clerk, 306 

of warrant on Township Treas'r for Library money, 307 



438 INDEX. 

FAGE. 

Fuel, Iiow obtained for Schools, 172 

to be estimated, &c., by Director,. .179 

Notes upoD, 171 

G. 

Graded and High Schools, 217 

specific provisions for, 217, 218, 219 

iiow boundaries of, altered, 225 

H. 

House op Correction, (now " Reform School,") 97 

public action concerning, 102, 104 

location and plan of, 105 

admittance sought to, Ill 

expense of, 104, 112 

I. 

Interest, of Primary School Fund, 14 

when distributed, , 210 

deficiency in School fund, 16, 19, 41, 54 

of University fund, 54, 57, 249 

of Normal School fund, 29, 243 

Insane, see "Asylum for Insane." 

Incorporated Institutions of Learning — . 

how incorporated, 257 

powers of,. .258, 260 

subject to visitation, 260 

funds of, how applied, 260 

Trustees to report to Sup't of Public lnst'n,.260, 262 

liabilities of Trustees, 260 

existing Institutions may become incorporated, . . . 261 

restriction of powers, 261 

public documents for, 262 

J. ^ 

Judgment, against District, how collected, 211 

for School-house sit«, 223 

Jury, to fix compensation for site when owner unknown, 220 

may be challenged, 221 

determine necessity for taking land, 222 

new, may be summoned if they disagree, 224 

compensation of, 226 

Journal of Education, official organ, 235 

L. 

Library, fines, &c., to apply, 159, 209 

Director's duties, 185 



INDEX. 439 



PiGE, 



Library, money to be paid over to Inspectors, 192 

fractional Districts, privileges in, 197 

township, in charge of Town Clerk, 205 

tax for support of, 206 

Town Treasurer to apply for moneys of, 208 

in townships, 208 

Director to draw and distribute, 209 

damage to books of, 209 

District, how established, 229 

rules for, 232 

M. 

Map, of School Districts, 205 

Meeting, of friends of University at Detroit, 65, 72 

in School-houses for other purposes, (note,) 189 

of Inspectors to examine Teachers, 201 

to re-examine Teachers, 202 

limited in number, 203 

of Board of Regents, 249 

Michigan, territory organized, 1 

an agricultural State, 79 

Moderator, of iSchool District, 175 

election of, for three years, 165 

'pro tern., when absent at meeting, 175 

to sign warrant for rate bill, &c., 175 

his power to preserve order, 176 

and Assessor may hire Teacher, 178 

to sign warrant to collect rate bill, 182 

and Director may renew warrant, 183 

Assessor's bond lodged with 188 

penalty for neglect, ' 211 

of Graded School, how elected, 218 

and Director to issue bonds, &c., 227 

N. 

Normal School, 25 

establishment of, 26 

location of, 27 

appropriation for, 26, 29 

funds, receipts, expenditures, 29 

consolidated laws for, 237 

Teachers' certificates from, 245 

Notice, of Superintendent to County Clerk, 161 

taxable inhabitant to serve, 164 

return of. by taxable inhabitant, 164 

of Clerk of Inspectors to taxable inhabitant, . 164, 197 



440 INDEX. 

PAGE. 

Notice, to be delivered by Chairman to Director, 164 

new, on failure to organize District, 167 

of District meetings, 169 

meeting not illegal for want of, 169 

of Director to famish fuel, 179 

of sale to collect rate bill, 183 

of meetings by Director, 184 

of Inspectors' meetings to examine Teachers, 201 

to re-examine Teachers, 202 

to alter Districts, 203 

of County Treasurer, of moneys apportioned,. . . .210 

penalty for neglect to serve, 211 

to owner of certain land, 221 

on formation of Teachers' Associations, 236 

form of, to " taxable inhabitant," 287 

lor first meeting of District, 288 

for endorsement on, by "taxable inhabitant," . 288 

for acnual meeting, 289 

for special meeting, 290 

for Assessor's sale, 292 

for meeting of Inspectors to examine Teachers, 300 

Oath, for voters at School meetings, 170 

false, declared perjury, 170 

P. 

Penalty, for disturbing School meeting, 176 

for making false oath, . . . . , , 170 

for nelecting to serve notice of first meeting, 211 

for neglect of District officers, 211 

for neglect of Inspectors, 212 

for Township Clerk's neglect, 212 

for County Clerk's neglect, 212 

for Supervisor's neglect, 215 

Peimaey Schools, and their funds, 1 

income of fund to be apportioned, 161 

apportionment to, when report defective, 162 

apportionment of deficiency to, 162 

fund, how computed, 162 

laws relating to, 164 

Primary School System, original design, .311 

the main difficulty in, 313 

a better, for populoufi settlements, 319 

what cities and villages should do, 320 

what is being done, 321 

what may be done in the country, 323 



INDEX. 441 

PAGE. 

Primary School System, philosophical view, 325 

exchange of scholars, 327 

preparatory department, 331 

buildings and appendages, 333 

R. 

Ra.te Bill, fuel furnished by, when voted,, 172 

to be collected by distress, 176 

Assessor's duties in collection of, 177 

fuel not delivered, to be assessed on, 179 

Director to make out, with warrant, 181 

steps for making, (note,) 182 

warrant for collecting, 175, 182 

collected by distress, without suit, (note,) 182 

renewal of warrant, , 183 

course when Assessor fails to collect, 190 

form of, and warrant, 290 

Record, ambiguity of State records, 15 

discrepancies in, 17, 19 

of District boundaries, 164 

of notice and return, 164 

of Director to be evidence, 168 

of Director not to impair Inspectors', 168 

of challenge of voter, (note,) 170 

to be kept by Director of all proceedings, 178 

of taxes, &c., by Director, , 188 

of Teacher to be examined by Inspectors, 197 

of Inspectors' acts, by Township Clerk, 203 

of observations at University, 247 

Secretary of Agricultural College to keep, 255 

Removal, for illegal use of money, 213 

Report, of Director to School Inspectors,. 185 

by District Board to Supervisor, of taxes voted, ... 187 
of District Board, of receipts, expenses and taxes, . 188 
may include time of School in late District, (note,) . 191 

annual, of Inspectors to County CJerk, 196 

of fractional Districts — to whom delivered, 197 

to Inspectors filed with Town Clerk, 204 

Town Clerk to transmit, to County Clerk, 205 

County Clerk to transmit, to Superintendent, 208 

of Visitors to Normal School, 240 

of Superintendent on Normal School, 240 

of incorporated Institutions to Superintendent of 

Public Instruction, 260, 262 

of Regents of University, 247, 248 

of Visitors to University, 249 

56 



442 INDEX. 

PAGB. 

s. 

Schools, statistics of, in 1842, 7 

statistics of, in 1847, 9 

statistics of, in 1852,. 12 

means for sustaining, in 1847, 10 

means for sustaining, in 1852, 11 

free, 15^ 

Graded and High, 217 

voters to determine length of, 174 

to be visited by Inspectors, 194 

(See Primary School System.) 

School Appaeatus, 403 

School Architecture, 339 

School District, organization of, 164, 191 

U ws and forms to be printed for, 161 

when deemed organized, 167, 168, 217 

new notice on failure to organize, 167 

a body corporate, 168 

power of voters of, 170 

formed by School Inspectors, 164, 191 

non-residents attached to, 192 

property of, in forming new Districts, 194, 195 

entitled to its own two-mill tax, 206 

fractional, in which town reckoned, 214 

may unite to form Graded School, 219 

title ot land vested in, 223 

alterlDg boundaries of Graded Districts, 225 

may borrow money in certain cases, 226 

may raise tax to pay loan in certain cases, 227 

who to appear in case of suit against, 177 

Director to take census of, ^ 180 

formation of, in two or more townships, ...... 197, 198 

fractional, how to draw books, &c., 198 

Town Clerk to make map of, 2©5 

tax on division of, 205 

suit against, how commenced, '^ i 

School Funds, from School lands, i i a 

deficiency in, on 

from certain sources, , 20 

expended in 1857, ^^ 

benefit of, ; 21 

Constitutional provisions relating to, 157 

District Board to apply and pay over, ,•,' ' J^? 

apportioned, paid only to "qualified Teachers, ..188 
apportionment of, in case of new Districts, (note.) .192 



INDEX. 443 



PACK 



School Lands, apportioned by Township Clerk, 204 

Town Treasurer to apply to Co. Treasurer for, ... 208 

interest of, distributed, 210 

derived from penalties, how apportioned, 212 

of Library, how disposed of, 231 

School-house — 

when Inspectors to establish site for, 170 

voters to designate site for 170, 171 

tax for building, and repairing, 173 

may be sold, 175 

kept in repair by Director, 183 

notices posted on door of, 184 

District Board to obtain site, <fec., 187 

restrictions in building, 187 

use of, for meetings, &c., (note,) 189 

site — additional provisions, 220-224 

Monroe Union, 359 

Bishop Union, Detroit, 363 

Ypsilanti Union, Frontispiece. 

and their appendages, 333, 337 

location of, ^ 33^ 

size of — philosophy of respiration, 341, 350 

ventilation of, . 349 

size and construction of, 350 

country 351 

in cities and villages, 352 

plans for, 354-367 

School Inspectors — 

to form Districts, 164, 191 

Clerk of, to notify taxable inhabitant, 164 

when to determine School-house site, 171 

who compose Board of— Chairman, Clerk, Treas'r, . 190 

Treasurer of, to give bond, 190 

to apply for and expend Library money, 192 

to appoint one to visit Schools 194 

disposal of property by, in forming new Dist's, . 194, 195 

annual report of, to County Clerk, 196 

to examine Teachers' record before making report, 196 

duty in forming fractional Districts, 19T 

to examine Teachers and give certificate, 199' 

meetings of, to examine Teachers, 201 

may re-examine Teachers, 202: 

number of meetings of, 203. 

to render accounts to Township Board, 203 

Township Clerk to be Clerk of, 203 

to make rules for Township Libraries, 208 



444 INDEX. 



FA6E. 



School Inspectoes, penalty for neglect, &c., 212 

may suspend Section 115, 216 

to appoint School officers in certain cases, 217 

to have consent of Trustees to alter Graded Dist's,. 225 

election of, (note,) 227 

compensation of, 228 

to apportion books of Township Libraries, 229 

may annul Normal School Teacher's certificate, . . . 245 

School Lands, granted by Congress, 1 

law for the sale of, in 1837, , 3 

relief to purchasers of, 6 

amount of sales of, 14 

receipts upon, unaccounted for, 16-19 

School Laws, of 1827,. 2 

and forms to be printed, 161 

in force in 1859, 164 

forms for proceedings under, 287 

School Meeting, annual, 168 

special, 169 

notice of, 1 69 

who entitled to vote at, 169, 216 

when not illegal, 169 

votes at, may be challenged, 170 

may adjourn — may fix and change site, 170 

penalty for disturbing, 176 

for not serving first notice of, 211 

Director to be Clerk of, 178 

to present estimate to, , , 184 

to prescribe notice of, 184 

form of notice for first, 288 

for annual, 289 

for special, 290 

of request for special, 289 

School Moneys. See " School Funds." 

School Month, (notes,) 175, 178 

School Peoperty, sale of, 175, 194 

SUPEETISOE, to assess certain tax, 195 

to ascertain proportion of tax in fractional District8,198 

to assess two-mill tax, 206 

statement, &c., to Township Treasurer, 207, 215 

to assess tax for amount of judgment, 211 

penalty for neglecting to assess tax, 215 

Suits, meeting may give directions, 175 

Assessor to appear in, for District, 177 



INDEX. 445 



PAGE. 



Suits, when Director shall appear in, 177 

by Director on Assessor's bond, 188 

by Town. Clerk against Treasurer of Board of In- 
spectors, 190 

Justices of the Peace, jurisdiction in, 210 

by summons on Assessor, 210 

Superintendent of Public Instruction, 157 

duties of, 160 

to prescribe form of Teachers' certificate, 199 

County Clerk to transmit report to, 208 

to apportion the School fund, 210 

to furnish list of books for Libraries, 231 

to hold Teachers' Institutes, 234 

may subscribe for Journal of Education 235 

member and Secretary of the Board of Education,. 238 

to visit Normal School, 240 

has power to visit Incorporated Institutions, 260 

to appoint Visitors to incorporated Institutions, . . 260 

University, 249 

Agricultural College, 256 

Superintendent of Common Schools, 2 

State Land Office established, 7 

T. 

Taxes, specific, 20 

for fuel, l'*^2 

for building School-houses, 13, 173 

for repairs and apparatus, 173 

certain expenses raised by, 184 

reported to supervisor by District Board, 186, 198 

indigent persons exempted, 187 

reported by District Board at meeting, 188 

exemption of, for building School-house, 191 

in fractional Districts — Supervisor's duty,.. .198, 215 
Town Clerk to certify certain, to Supervisors and 

Directors, 205 

for School purposes, ._ 205 

tiuo mills assessed by Supervisor, 206 

tiDo mill tax — how apportioned, 206 

Supervisor's duties in raising, 207 

two mill tax, "public money," (note,) 207 

Township Treasurers' duties concerning, 207, 215 

persons paying, may send to School, 214 

on division of District, in certain cases, 214 

penalty for Supervisor's neglect to assess, 215 



446 INDEX. 

PAGE. 

Suits, Supervisor to state to Town Treasurer, .... 215 

Graded Districts may raise, to support School, . . . .219 
to pay loan in certain cases, , . , ,,,,..,.- . 227 

Taxation, .129 

Teacher, to keep lists, 180 

employment of, 178, 219 

to certify scholars in certain cases, 180 

to be furnished list of scholars by Director, 180 

record of, to be examined by Inspectors, 197 

examination of, 199 

what constitutes a " qualified Teacher," 200 

certificate — form of, 200 

examination of, public, 202 

where examined for fractional District, 202 

may be re-examined by Inspectors, 202 

intention of Normal School pupils to become, 240 

fcyrra of contract with, 294 

Teachers' Institutes, 234 

Teachers' Associations, 236 

Text Books, by trustees of Graded Schools, 219 

prescribed by District Board, 224 

list of, recommended, 417 

Township Board, to settle Inspectors accounts, 203 

to remove officers in certain cases, 213 

Township Clerk, Director to report to, 185 

School Inspector, ex-officio^ 190 

to approve and file Chairman's bond, 190 

duties on division of Districts, 195 

Inspectors' report delivered to, .196 

Director's annual report to, for fractional District, 

where made, 197 

to give notice of meetings to examine Teachers, . . 201 

to be Clerk of Board of Inspectors, 190, 203 

to apportion School moneys, 204 

to record apportionment, 204 

to keep reports and papers, 204 

to receive communications from Superintendent,. .204 

to transmit report to County Clerk, 205 

to make map of Districts, &c., 205 

to be Township Librarian, 205 

to certify taxes to be assessed, to Supervisor, 205 

to perform duties assigned by Inspectors, .... 205 

penalty for neglect of duty, 212 



INDEX. 447 



PAas. 



Township Treasueer, to apply School moneys next to 

Town expenses, 207 

to apply to County Treasurer for moneys, 208 

to notify Town Clerk of moneys, 208 

certain moneys received from, how apportioned,. .212 
to pay over taxes to other Township Treasurer, . . 215 
to apply to other Township Treasurer for money8,216 

to certify moneys of fractional Districts, 216 

form of warrant upon, for District moneys, 295 

of warrant upon, for Library money, 307 

Trustees, of Graded School, 217 

to elect District OfiScers, 218 

may classify School, 218 

to make rules for School, 219 

duties of, at annual meeting, 219 

to consent to change of boundaries, 225 

Tuition, Director to ascertain amount due, 181 

in Graded Schools, 219, 224 

in Normal School in certain cases, 239 

in University, 248 

U. 

" Union Schools," early days of, 11 

abolished by repeal of sections 92 and 93, (note,). 218 

University of Michigan, grant of lands for, 34 

branches of, 37, 249 

loan by State for, 38, 43 

plan for paying loan of, 44 

history of loan, 48-53 

faculty of, in 1842, 40 

funds unaccounted for, 41, 54, 57 

deficiency in lands of, 56 

amount of fund of, 57 

Board of Regents of, 47, 158, 246 

Observatory, 64, 78 

departments of, 247 

admission fees to, 248 

immediate government of, 247 

buildings erected from interest of fund, 248 

interest fund of, how expended, ; . . . 249 

department of Natural History in, 250 

University Lands, first sales of, 39 

sold to 1843, 40 

1848, 54 

1848 after deducting forfeitures, 58 

acres unsold, 59 



448 INDEX. 

PAGE. 

University Lands — 

acres unselected, 56 

at Toledo, 59-64 

Y. 

Yacanct, filled by District Board, 189 

filled by special meeting, in certain cases, 189 

how created, 189, 190 

filled by Inspectors in certain cases, 217 

filled by Board of Graded School, 2.18 

YisiTOR, one School Inspector to be appointed, 194 

to Normal School, 240 

to incorporated Institutions, 260 

to University, 249^ 

to Agricultural College, 256 

YOTEHS, to be notified by taxable inhabitant, 164 

may be challenged— oath— perjury, 170 

powers of, at meetings, 170 

may designate site for School-house, 170 

to secure School-house, &c., 171 

may determine time of School, 174 

may direct sale of property, 175 

may direct in regard to suits, 175 

who are qualified, 169, 216 

W. 

Warrant, signed by Moderator and Director, 175 

Assessor to pay moneys on, 176 

for rate bill to be returned by Assessor, 177 

for rate bill — contents of, 182 

for rate bill may be extended thirty days, 183- 

on Town Treasurer by Director and Moderator,. .185 
form of Assessor's return upon, 293- 



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